Being able to listen is a very important skill that supports learning and strengthens relationships.
Listening games are a fun way to develop listening skills.
Games are fun especially with people you love and who love you.
How to do it
There are so many things to listen to in the world. Encourage your child to take notice of the sounds around them.
Listen to the bath water running into the bath, and use straws to make some noisy bubbles.
Go on a short 'whakarongo' walk. What different sounds did you hear?
Experiment with different containers with lids. Test what sounds are made when you put different objects inside and shake them. ‘What makes a quiet sound? What makes a loud sound? What makes a rattle?’
Play ‘I hear with my little ear something that sounds like’ … ‘quack’, ‘woof’ or ‘brrmm’. Make different sounds for them to identify.
Record some different sounds on your phone or recording device. Include familiar people talking and play it back to your child, asking them to guess who’s talking.
