- It may be necessary to give instructions to a child 1:1 as well as the group instructions
- Encourage the child to stop what he/she is doing before giving instructions
- Always call his/her name first to gain attention
- Establish direct eye-contact with the child to ensure you have their attention
- Visual prompts can be used to support what you say
- Keep instructions short and simple e.g. break long instructions into chunks
Attention and Listening: How to help?
Poorly developed listening and attention skills can impact on a child’s level of understanding. In order to help a child with listening and attention issues, consider:
Here is an example:
Instead of:
Try to avoid using abstract words like when, if, before, after unless you are sure these are within the child’s level of understanding.
Some specific listening games can be introduced in music, P.E. and other lessons
“before you go outside to play, put on your coat”
Try:
“go and put your coat on”
– wait until the child has done this –
“go and play outside”
– wait until the child has done this –
“go and play outside”
Try to avoid using abstract words like when, if, before, after unless you are sure these are within the child’s level of understanding.
Some specific listening games can be introduced in music, P.E. and other lessons