1. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
- Establish clear, consistent routines to reduce anxiety.
- Foster trust through positive relationships and reassurance.
- Use a calm and patient tone when communicating.
2. Teach Active Listening in Small Steps
- Break it down: Define active listening as making eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing, and asking questions.
- Use visuals: Post charts or visual reminders of active listening skills.
- Model it: Demonstrate active listening yourself, emphasizing nonverbal cues.
3. Use Engaging and Interactive Activities
- Role-playing: Have students practice listening in real-life scenarios.
- Games: Try “Telephone” or “Mirroring” games to reinforce listening skills.
- Storytelling: Read short stories and ask students to repeat key details.
4. Provide Structured Support
- Cue cards: Give prompts like “What I heard you say is…”
- Timers: Use timers to help students focus on listening for short periods.
- Checklists: Provide a simple checklist for students to self-monitor their listening behavior.
5. Address Emotional and Behavioral Needs
- Teach self-regulation: Encourage deep breathing or grounding techniques before discussions.
- Validate feelings: Acknowledge students’ emotions before redirecting to listening tasks.
- Use positive reinforcement: Praise and reward good listening behaviors.
6. Make It Relevant and Personal
- Relate to interests: Use topics they care about to keep them engaged.
- Peer partnerships: Pair students with a buddy for listening exercises.
- Reflect and discuss: Ask students how they feel when they are truly listened to.
This is just a start. You may find your students need a refresher, and that is okay. This a skill which needs time to for one to get better at it. Comment below if you have your own tips.
