Listening
Listening is a reading skill — when you HEAR a word or story, your brain decodes the sounds into meaning. Good listening helps you follow directions, learn new words, and enjoy stories read aloud.
Worked examples
Listen: 'The cat sat on the mat.' What did the cat sit on?
When you listen, focus on WHO did WHAT and WHERE. The cat sat on the mat — so the answer is 'the mat'.
Answer: the mat
Listen for the rhyme: 'cat' and 'hat'. Do they rhyme?
Both end with the 'at' sound. That's a rhyme.
Answer: yes
Tips
- •Look at the person who is talking — it helps you focus.
- •Listen all the way to the end before you answer.
- •Picture what they're saying in your head.
- •If you missed it, it's OK to ask 'Can you say that again?'
Key words
listenhearsoundfocus