TOP TIPS FOR ATTENTION AND LISTENING

 

• Use the child’s name before giving them an instruction. Make sure you have their attention before speaking (it may take up to 10 seconds for them to move their attention to you, especially if they are doing something they enjoy).
• Use visual aids to support a child’s attention such as using puppets, props and pictures for story time.
• Create a visual ‘good listening’ poster for the children to refer to. Talk about good looking, good listening and good sitting often and make sure this is modelled and reinforced.
• Modify the classroom environment to maximise listening potential. Seat children with attention and listening difficulties towards the front of the classroom with a clear view of the teacher and reduce background noise as much as possible.
• For children who find sitting on the carpet difficult try a carpet square, fiddle toy or sand timer to encourage them to stay on the carpet.
• Show that activities have a clear start and finish point. Introduce two boxes or baskets- one for ‘start’ and one for ‘finish’. Put the activities the child needs to do (or a visual representation of this) in the start box. When the activity is done, the child can move this to the finish box.
• To support a child to move from one activity to another, use a ‘now and next’ approach. Use an object or picture to represent what the child is doing now and show them what they will do next.
• Alternate between more active activities and quieter activities.
• You may find that strategies to support comprehension will also support children with attention and listening difficulties.

 

The demands placed upon children when they start school require them to attend at Level 5.

Some children will need support to develop their attention to this level. Strategy support may need to continue through all Key Stages.