As your child prepares to start school, it’s important that they develop the skill of listening carefully and paying attention to their teachers and other adults.
Watch the video below with your child as Duggee shows them how they can earn their listening badge before starting primary school.
Speaker 1: Dhruvan! Isn't it time for Duggee!
Dhruvan: Duggee
Children in classroom: Hey Duggee, Hey Duggee!
Speaker 1: Duggee and the listening badge.
Hello, squirrels. I wonder what Duggee has planned for us today?
Duggee: A woof!
Speaker 1: Starting primary school, that's a big thing for a small person. It's exciting, but there are so many new things to learn.
And one of the first things we need to know is how to pay attention.
Oh, cheeky!
Speaker 1: Paying attention is when we stop what we are doing and listen to what the teacher is saying. Not as easy as it looks.
Can you help, Duggee? Of course you can, because you've got your listening badge.
Listening is about using your eyes as well as your ears.
But how can you listen with your eyes? Watch these expert listeners at work. First, they stop what they are doing.
Then they use their eyes to look at their teacher. And then they use their ears to listen so they know what to do and how to do it.
Excellent work there! Here's a fun way to practice listening. This teacher is giving her squirrels a list of things to find in the garden.
Ready, steady, go! Who will finish first? That stick is bigger than him. Didn't they do well Duggee?
Duggee: A woof!
Speaker 1: And our very own squirrels are going to show us how they practice listening at home.
Speaker 2: Simon says put your finger on your nose. Simon says put out your tongue.
Speaker 1: You only do it if Simon says, so you need to listen carefully.
Speaker 2: Simon says stand up. Simon says balance on one leg. Simon says follow the spot. Stop!
Speaker 1: Oh no, she didn't say Simon says. Evie's out. Simon says, do a little dance.
Oh well done Duggee, practice makes perfect.
Next time a grown up says something to you at home, try really hard to stop what you are doing, look at the grown up and listen.
Didn't the squirrels do well today Duggee?
Duggee: A woof, woof!
Speaker 1: Well done squirrels, you've earned your listening badge just like Duggee. As you get bigger, you'll get better at listening to more instructions and longer stories. Which is brilliant!
Keep practising so when you get to school, you'll already be an expert listener. Well that was fun, wasn't it Duggee?
Duggee: A woof, woof, woof!
Speaker 1: Thanks for the reminder! Yes, you can watch more videos on the CBeebies Learn app to help get you ready for school. Bye bye everybody!
Listening with your eyes and ears
Listening is not only about hearing the words spoken but it’s also about picking up on changes in facial expressions and body language.
It’s important for your child to notice their teacher’s body language and facial expressions, so they know when it’s time to stop and listen.
These skills will help them follow instructions, take part in activities, and feel more confident in the classroom.
How to talk to your child about paying attention at school?
Talking to your child about the importance of listening before school starts encourages the development of vital social skills.
These include taking turns to speak, making eye contact with people, and engaging in conversations. These are all concepts that parents can start to teach at home.
Here are a few things you can do to encourage children to listen:
Minimise distractions: at home. Reduce background noise, such as the TV or radio, so your child can focus on people’s speech and expressions.
Use visual prompts : support your child’s understanding of instructions with objects or visuals that are linked to specific activities or routines.
Play games: you can practise listening with your child at home by playing games such as 'Simon Says' which encourages them to listen and follow instructions.
Praise good habits : celebrate good attention skills by praising behaviours like eye contact with positive reinforcement.
Read more from highly specialist speech and language therapist Neha Makwana on how using small techniques like this can help with their attention skills and improve their language development.
Interactive games to strengthen children's listening
Here are some fun games and activities for you and your little squirrels to enjoy at home before school starts.
Does your child love Hey Duggee? interactive
Play games and earn your Hey Duggee badges on the CBeebies website.
