active listening exercises for sunday school

Teaching Children the Power of Active Listening in Sunday School

In today's world, effective communication is crucial for building strong relationships and understanding each other. One essential aspect of communication is active listening, which allows us to truly hear and understand what others are saying. As Sunday school teachers, it's essential to teach children the importance of active listening from a young age. In this article, we'll explore some fun and engaging active listening exercises for Sunday school that can help your students develop this valuable skill.

Why is Active Listening Important?

Active listening is more than just paying attention to someone who is speaking. It's about showing respect and interest in what the other person is saying by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking specific questions. By doing so, we create a safe and supportive environment where others feel heard and understood.

Exercise 1: The 'Come Here, Samuel' Game

In this fun exercise, students sit in a circle while one child pretends to be asleep in the middle of the group. When it's their turn, they wake up and start talking about something they found interesting recently. The other children must actively listen by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking specific questions.

Exercise 2: Drawing Faces

In this exercise, students draw faces on paper using crayons while listening to a story or conversation. This helps them focus on the speaker's words and facial expressions, demonstrating active listening skills.

Exercise 3: Wonky Donkey

In this hilarious exercise, one child puts their hands over their eyes while another student talks about something they're passionate about. The other children must actively listen by maintaining eye contact and asking questions to show interest.

Teaching Active Listening in Sunday School

When teaching active listening in Sunday school, it's essential to start with simple exercises that demonstrate the importance of this skill. For example, you can play an audio clip that discusses the power of listening, followed by a group discussion on what active listening means and how it makes others feel.

Teaching children the power of active listening in Sunday school is crucial for building strong relationships and creating a supportive environment. By incorporating exercises like 'Come Here, Samuel,' drawing faces, and wonky donkey into your lessons, you can help your students develop this valuable skill. Remember to emphasize the importance of maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking specific questions while listening. With these exercises and a focus on active listening, your Sunday school students will learn how to truly connect with others and build strong relationships.

Active listening exercises for sunday school