Lesson 213: Being a good listener

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🔵 B. Understanding Others

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Objective

I can use my ears, eyes, body, and words to be a good listener. I can listen without interrupting, and I can ask someone to repeat if I did not hear clearly.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What does a good listener do?

Listening is more than just hearing sounds. A good listener uses their ears, eyes, brain, and body to pay attention.

Whole-body listening

  • Ears are open and ready to hear.
  • Eyes look at the speaker or the task.
  • Mouth is quiet while others talk.
  • Hands and feet are calm and safe.
  • Brain is thinking about the words.

Kind listening choices

  • Turn your body toward the speaker.
  • Wait until they finish before you speak.
  • Remember not to talk over other people.

When you did not hear clearly

  • You can say, "Can you please say that again?"
  • Or, "I did not hear. Can you repeat it more slowly?"
  • It is okay to ask questions when you are confused.

Showing that you listened

  • Say back the main idea in your own words.
  • For example: "So we line up by the door quietly."
  • Ask one small question to check you understood.

Listening to feelings

  • Look at the person's face and body.
  • Listen to their tone of voice.
  • Use kind words like "I understand" or "I am here for you."

Adults can name and notice good listening out loud, like "I see your eyes and body are listening."

Picture strip: "Whole-body listening"

Guided Practice — Listening scripts

You and an adult will practise short listening scripts you can use at home or at school.

  1. On a notebook page, draw three speech bubbles in a column. Number them 1, 2, and 3.
  2. In bubble 1, the adult helps you write or trace: "I am listening."
  3. In bubble 2, write or trace: "Can you please say that again?" or "I did not hear. Can you repeat it?"
  4. In bubble 3, write or trace a sentence that shows you listened, like: "So we line up quietly by the door."
  5. Next to each speech bubble, draw two simple stick figures (you and another person) showing the listening moment.
  6. Practise reading the three bubbles aloud with the adult. The adult can switch roles so you practise being the person who speaks and the person who listens.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "I can listen with my whole body."

Practice — My listening body poster

Use this practice to help your child remember how their whole body can listen.

  1. On a new page, draw a simple person from head to toe. This can be a stick figure or a cartoon body.
  2. Next to the ears, write or trace: "My ears are listening."
  3. Next to the eyes, write or trace: "My eyes are looking."
  4. Next to the mouth, write or trace: "My mouth is quiet."
  5. Next to the hands and feet, write or trace: "My body is calm and safe."
  6. Near the chest, write or trace: "My heart cares about the speaker."
  7. Talk with the child: "Which part of your body is easiest to help you listen?" and "Which part is the trickiest?"
  8. During the week, the adult can point to the poster and quietly say, "Show me your listening body" before instructions or stories.

Quick Check — Being a good listener

Answer each question about how to listen, how to show you listened, and what to do when you do not understand.

1) What is a good listener?

Good listeners use ears, eyes, and body to pay attention.

2) What should your eyes do when you listen?

Looking at the speaker helps your brain pay attention.

3) Your teacher is giving instructions. What is a good listening body?

Calm body helps you and others hear better.

4) What is a kind thing to do when someone else is talking?

Waiting your turn shows respect for the speaker.

5) You did not hear the homework. What could you say?

It is okay to politely ask for the words again.

6) How can you show that you understood the instructions?

Saying back the idea shows you were listening.

7) Your friend is telling you about their day. What is a good listening choice?

Looking, nodding, and asking questions show you care.

8) Which sentence shows listening to someone's feelings?

Kind words show you listened to feelings too.

9) When might it be hardest to be a good listener?

When you feel excited, you may need extra practice to listen.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to be a kind, respectful listener.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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