Supporting attention and listening

Strategies to support attention and listening skills

• Always approach and address the child by name before you speak.
• Get down to the child’s level whenever possible.
• Use hand movements, different facial expressions and tones of voice to keep the child interested.
• Use different ways to show and explain things as much as possible. For example, pictures, symbols, objects, demonstrations, mime, gestures and videos.
• Share stories and sing songs as part of the child's daily routine. Use different gestures and props to make the stories and songs feel fun and exciting. 
• Position the child away from possible distractions, for example, book racks and toys.
• In whole class activities, sit the child near an adult so that attention can be refocused when needed.
• Stand near to and face the child when giving instructions in group situations, such as when lining up or in PE, to help reduce distractions.
• Reduce background noise, such as the radio and TV.
• Keep activities short and try using a timer to encourage the child to stay focused for a set amount of time. Stop the activity when the timer rings, even if the task is going well.
• Provide regular movement breaks.
• Recognise that children learn to listen in different ways. Some children may listen better if they have a toy to fidget with or are able to move freely. Notice what helps the child to listen.