Suggestions to Improve Listening 1. Decrease auditory and visual distractions when presenting spoken material. 2. Present the information in simple, well sequenced ideas. 3. Think about the individual child. When giving instructions, you may need to break the instructions into smaller units, or use picture or word supports along with the spoken instructions. 4. Check to see if the child understood what was being asked or told. Have the child tell you in his/her own words. It is often more difficult for children with listening difficulties to repeat the directions as you said them. However, they often can restate them in their own words. 5. Encourage children to sit in the best place for them to be the best listener. 6. Transition carefully from activity to activity. 7. Reduce background noise when you are speaking to your child. 8. If you are talking to a child, do so while you are in the same room. Have the child close to you. 9. Say the child’s name to engage them. 10. Some children need to stop activities in which they are engaged in order to be good listeners. For example, some children respond better when they stop playing to listen to directions. 11. Encourage your child to ask for assistance if they do not remember or understand what you have said to them 12. Try to talk to your child when there are not too many other distractions, especially if the directions or information you are saying is important for them to hear and remember. .