Listening Walk
To develop active listening skills and environmental sound vocabulary as foundations for phonological awareness.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Identifies environmental sounds
- Discriminates between sounds
- Names sounds using vocabulary
- Listens with sustained attention
Materials
- Listening walk clipboard
- Sound picture cards
- Camera or tablet for photos
- Recording device
Instructions
Before the walk, introduce the concept: 'Today we're going on a listening walk. We're going to use our EARS, not our mouths! Let's see what sounds we can hear.'
Walk slowly through the nursery garden or local area. Stop frequently: 'Shhh... listen... what can you hear?' Wait. A child says 'bird'. 'Yes! A bird singing! Tweet tweet! What else?'
Carry picture cards showing common sounds (bird, car, dog, wind, rain, footsteps). When a sound is identified, find the matching card: 'We heard a bird — let's find the bird card. Here it is!'
Take photos of sound sources: the tree where the bird sang, the road where the car drove. Back in the setting, create a 'sounds we heard' display with photos and descriptions.
This activity directly builds the listening attention that supports later phonics. Children who can discriminate environmental sounds can more easily discriminate speech sounds.
Repeat listening walks regularly in different locations and weather conditions. 'The rain sounds different on the path and the leaves — listen!'