Listening Skills
How to Build Strong Listening Through Play
Listening skills don’t develop in isolation.
To listen well, children need:
- Vocabulary (to understand what they hear)
- Grammar (to process meaning)
- Attention and working memory
- Practice in real, meaningful contexts
The good news? Listening skills can be built early—and play is one of the best ways to do it.
Below are simple, effective games you can use during everyday routines. Keep it light, keep it fun, and praise your child for trying—not just for getting it “right.”
Top 5 Games That Build Listening Skills
1. Simon Says
This classic game has been around for centuries for a reason—it works.
How to Play
One player is the leader and gives directions. Directions should only be followed if they begin with “Simon says…”
Example: “Simon says touch your nose.”
Why It Works
- Builds attention and impulse control
- Strengthens listening for key words
- Supports following directions
You can easily adjust difficulty by adding more steps or new actions.
2. Treasure Hunt
This is one of my favorite ways to target receptive language.
How to Play
Hide a small “treasure” somewhere in the house. Give your child a series of directions to follow to find it.
Example:
“Jump three times. Touch your toes. Walk to the door. Look under the bed.”
Why It Works
- Targets multi-step directions
- Strengthens listening and memory
- Encourages movement and engagement
You can make this as simple or complex as needed.
3. Clean-Up Game
You already clean up every day—why not turn it into a listening activity?
How to Play
Take turns giving directions for what to clean up.
Let your child tell you what to do, too.
Why It Works
- Practices following directions
- Builds confidence and role-reversal
- Turns a routine task into a language opportunity
Bonus: the house gets cleaned.
4. Sticker Game
This is a quick, low-prep listening activity.
How to Play
Give your child a sticker and tell them where to place it.
Examples:
- “Put the sticker on the table.”
- “Put the sticker under the chair.”
- “Put the sticker next to the book.”
Why It Works
- Targets spatial concepts
- Supports listening accuracy
- Easy to adjust for different levels
5. Reading (My Favorite Listening “Game”)
If you only have time for one activity—choose reading.
How to Read for Listening Skills
Don’t just read the words on the page.
- Point to pictures
- Talk about what’s happening
- Ask simple questions (who, what, where)
- Model answers out loud if your child isn’t ready to respond
You’re teaching your child how to listen and think by modeling your own thinking.
Why It Works
Reading supports:
- Vocabulary
- Listening comprehension
- Grammar
- Story structure
- Question answering
- Attention and memory
All at once.
Skills That Support Listening
For children to follow directions and listen well, they also need:
- Solid vocabulary base (they need to understand what they hear!) Read about how to improve vocabulary to help listening skills here.
- Good working memory. Click here for information on working memory and tips on how to practice memory.
Want Free Materials to Support Listening Skills?
If you’re looking for ready-to-use materials that support listening, language, and articulation goals, I’ve got you covered.
When you sign up, you’ll receive one free speech or language material each month—along with simple tips on how to use it.
It’s an easy way to explore the approach and materials inside Speech Therapy Talk Membership.
Free Monthly Speech & Language Materials
Sign up below to receive FREE monthly speech and language materials delivered straight to your inbox.
Free Speech & Language Materials
Fill out the form below and I'll send your first free speech and language resource.
