Active Listening

Did you know that most of the work of hearing is done, not by your ears but by your brain? It is true that sounds are taken in by our ears, and they must function properly for us to hear, but processing the sounds into meaning is solely a function of our brains. What is the difference between hearing and listening? We hear a lot, but we only process what we listen to, and that takes brain power. Thus, training our brains to listen becomes essential if we are to engage with the world around us.

Use this poster to help students power up their brains. Starting with the pinkie, children say the words for each finger closing them as they go. When a complete fist is made, they punch the air saying “power up your brain” all together. The object being for them to actively switch on their brains.