Listening Hearts
Children learn active listening skills and practise showing respect through focused attention.
A respect lesson teaching children active listening skills and helping them practise showing respect through focused attention and body language.
Section 1: Lesson Introduction
Ask the children: 'How do you know when someone is really listening to you?' Collect their ideas. Then play a quick game: pair children up, one talks for 30 seconds about their favourite thing, the other listens. Swap. Ask how it felt to be truly listened to. Share Larry's message: 'When you listen with your whole heart, you show someone they matter.'
Section 2: The Listening Body
Teach children the five parts of a 'listening body': 1) Eyes looking, 2) Ears open, 3) Mouth quiet, 4) Body still, 5) Heart open. Practise each part with the class. Use a hand signal or action for each. Create a 'Listening Body' poster together.
Section 3: Main Activity — Listening Pairs
Children work in pairs. Partner A tells a short story about something that happened to them (provide prompt cards if needed: a happy memory, a funny thing, a time they felt proud). Partner B practises active listening using the five parts. After 2 minutes, Partner B tells back what they heard. Swap roles. Debrief as a class.
Section 4: Respect Through Body Language
Show children pictures or role-play different body language (slouching and looking away vs. sitting up and facing the speaker). Ask which shows respect. Children practise showing respectful body language while a partner speaks. Discuss how body language shows we care even without words.
Section 5: Reflection and Listening Pledge
Children draw or write one way they will show respectful listening this week. Share Larry's encouragement: 'Your listening heart is a gift you give to others. Use it well.'
Lesson Introduction
Ask: 'How do you know when someone is really listening to you?' Pair children for a 30-second listening game, then debrief.
Main Activity
Children work in pairs taking turns to tell a short story while the other practises active listening using the five 'listening body' parts, then feeds back what they heard.
Home Learning
Ask children to practise the listening body at home with a family member. Families can share how it felt to be listened to and discuss why listening matters.
Related Resources
My Superhero Strengths
Children discover that everyone has unique 'superpowers' — strengths that make them special. They create their own superhero persona celebrating their strengths.
View Resource lesson plansThe Kindness Ripple
Using the ripple metaphor, children discover that one kind act can affect many people. They plan their own kindness mission.
View Resource lesson plansBuilding Speaking Up
A carefully designed lesson plan focused on friendship for KS1 BRITISH_VALUES lessons. Part of Larry's confidence-building teaching collection.
View Resource
You're Making a Difference
Every resource you use, every child you encourage — it matters. Thank you for building confident classrooms.
