How to practice active listening skills?

Differentiating Sounds :* One of the most effective methods for teaching listening skills to children is to use a simple game format, such as "name that sound." To the entire class or smaller groups, play recordings of everyday sounds such as birds singing, traffic noise, musical instruments and voices. This makes a worthwhile discrimination-through-listening activity for students. Distractions should be kept at a minimum during this activity. Listening with their eyes closed encourages better listening in children and improves their recognition and discrimination skills.

Participate in Storytelling: * Storytelling activities also encourage students to listen intently in order to participate. For example, the teacher writes a sentence on the board and students take turns orally adding to the story. Children must repeat the previous part of the story and then add their own. Focus and concentration are required in order for the activity to be successful.

It seems like an easy skill to learn, but takes some practice to master. Conversation happens in turns, each person taking a turn to listen and a turn to speak or to respond. It shows respect for the other person when you use your "speaking turn" to show you have been listening and not just to say something new. They then have a chance to correct your understanding, affirm it, or embellish on it.