# Lesson 213: Being a good listener

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

← Back to Level 1

## 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

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: star stickers to mark great listening moments

## 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
Lines
Trace
Pen

## 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?

Someone who talks all the time and never stops. Someone who pays attention with ears, eyes, and body. Someone who only listens when they want to.
Good listeners use ears, eyes, and body to pay attention.

2) What should your eyes do when you listen?

Look at the speaker or the task. Roll around the room and stare out the window. Stay closed so you can not see anything.
Looking at the speaker helps your brain pay attention.

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

Jumping and spinning around. Tapping other students and making noises. Sitting calmly with quiet hands and feet.
Calm body helps you and others hear better.

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

Talk over them so your idea is first. Wait your turn and listen until they finish. Make silly noises to get attention.
Waiting your turn shows respect for the speaker.

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

"Can you please say the homework again?" "I was not listening and I do not care." Say nothing and guess.
It is okay to politely ask for the words again.

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

Change the subject to talk about something else. Walk away before the speaker is done. Say back the main idea in your own words.
Saying back the idea shows you were listening.

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

Look at your toys and talk about yourself only. Look at them, nod, and ask a small question. Walk away while they are still talking.
Looking, nodding, and asking questions show you care.

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

"I hear you. That sounds hard." "Stop talking. It is not important." "I was not listening."
Kind words show you listened to feelings too.

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

When you are calm and nothing is happening. When you are alone reading a book. When you are excited or distracted by fun things.
When you feel excited, you may need extra practice to listen.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To win every argument by talking the loudest. To learn how to be a kind, respectful listener. To never ask questions again.
The goal is to be a kind, respectful listener.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain in simple words what it means to be a good listener. Student can show a listening body (ears, eyes, mouth, hands, and feet). Student can wait their turn and not interrupt most of the time. Student can use at least one listening script (for example, "Can you please say that again?"). Student can say one way they can show they understood what someone said.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can use my whole body to be a good listener. 🙂 I know how to listen, but I want more practice. 😅 Listening carefully still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Keeping my body calm when I listen Asking kindly if I did not hear Saying back the main idea in my own words
← Lesson 212 Lesson 214 →