Which is an active listening strategy that can be taught to pre-kindergarten students?

• A. Nodding and clarifying questions.
• B. Maintaining eye contact.
• C. Shouting to get attention.
• D. Looking away while someone speaks.

Answer: (B)

Active listening in young children centers on behaviors that show you are really paying attention to the speaker. Maintaining eye contact is a simple, concrete skill you can teach pre-kindergarten students to use during conversations, story time, and group activities. Keeping eyes on the speaker signals attention, respect, and readiness to respond, which helps children follow directions, remember what was said, and participate in discussions. It’s easy to model and practice in short, fun drills—turn-taking games, story retell, or looking at the person who is talking before answering. Eye contact also supports language development, as children can pick up facial cues and intonation that aid meaning. While nodding and asking clarifying questions are valuable, they build on the foundation of paying attention first, which is why maintaining eye contact stands out as the best teachable practice for pre-kindergarten students. Shouting to get attention or looking away from the speaker disrupts listening and engagement, making them poor choices for developing listening skills.