{"id":27681,"date":"2022-08-22T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T14:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/?p=27681"},"modified":"2022-08-22T09:58:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T14:58:53","slug":"listening-comprehension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/listening-comprehension\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Great Ways to Build Listening Comprehension"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is Listening Comprehension?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\"\"

Listening comprehension is the precursor to reading comprehension, so it’s an important skill to develop. Listening comprehension isn\u2019t just hearing<\/span> what is said\u2014it is the ability to understand<\/span> the words and relate to them in some way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For example, when you hear a story read aloud, good listening comprehension skills enable you to understand<\/span> the story, remember<\/span> it, discuss<\/span> it, and even retell<\/span> it in your own words. You use these same comprehension skills when you read.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

How Listening Comprehension Develops<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Listening comprehension begins at a young age as babies interact with people around them. It develops as they are read to and as they engage in conversation with their parents. Tone of voice, pauses between words, where the emphasis is placed in a sentence, and the rhythm and pattern of speech all have an impact on the meaning of the words being spoken and the message they are meant to convey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In the All About Reading<\/cite> Pre-reading program<\/a>, we foster listening comprehension by discussing stories and characters, expanding vocabulary, and exposing children to a wide variety of listening experiences. In addition, through the poetry in our books, The Zigzag Zebra<\/cite> and Lizard Lou<\/cite>, and through the read-alouds, children absorb language patterns that are not used as frequently in normal conversation, but that are commonly used in books.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In grade school, reading comprehension<\/a> generally lags behind listening comprehension, so the best way for a child to develop higher levels of comprehension is through non-print sources (read-alouds, discussions, movies, and so on). Even after a child learns to read, listening comprehension continues to be important. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

In the All About Reading<\/cite><\/a> program, we intentionally develop listening comprehension through story discussions, vocabulary development<\/a>, and read-alouds<\/a>. In this way, kids grow in their knowledge of the world, absorb language structure, and make connections<\/a> between old and new information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\"Listening<\/a>\r\n\r\n

4 Fantastic Ways to Develop Listening Comprehension<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

In addition to the activities built into All About Reading<\/cite>, you can help your child develop listening comprehension skills by engaging in the activities below on a regular basis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\"Mashed<\/a>

Play Fun Games<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Play listening skills games such as Mashed Potatoes<\/a>. This silly game will provide your child with important listening practice and plenty of giggles, too! Hebanz<\/a> is another great game that will help build listening skills in a way the whole family can enjoy. <\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\"The<\/a>

Talk to Your Child<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

If your child doesn\u2019t understand what words mean, comprehension isn\u2019t possible. The Conversational Method for Teaching Vocabulary<\/a> is simply talking with your child and expanding upon vocabulary words that he has not yet learned.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Make Reading Aloud Interactive<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Read lots of picture books aloud to your child. But don\u2019t just read! You can help your child\u2019s listening skills by turning reading into an interactive activity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Here are a few ideas:<\/p>\r\n\r\n