Listen For It
A gentle story about listening, set in the warm quiet of the Australian bush. When the world slows down, small sounds come forward, and the story invites children to stop and truly listen. About six minutes read aloud, it teaches attention by inviting it, not by asking for it.
Themes
Listening and attention, noticing quiet sounds, mindfulness, and a love of the natural world.
Before reading
- Close your eyes for a moment and ask what they can hear right now.
- Look at the cover. What sounds might be waiting in this place?
While reading
- Pause and listen together at the quiet moments.
- Ask what sound the character is listening for, and what they can picture.
After reading
- What did listening help the character notice?
- Talk about a favourite sound, and a sound that helps them feel calm.
Three gentle activities
- Sound hunt. Sit quietly outside or by a window for one minute and count the sounds, then share them.
- Guess the sound. Make soft sounds behind a screen, paper, water, a shaker, and invite gentle guessing.
- My calm sound. Children draw a sound that helps them settle, and share why.
Curriculum mapping
| EYLF V2.0, Outcome 5 | Children are effective communicators. Active listening, sound discrimination, and expressive language. |
|---|---|
| EYLF V2.0, Outcome 3 | Children have a strong sense of wellbeing. Stillness, attention and self regulation through quiet listening. |
| EYLF V2.0, Outcome 2 | Children are connected with and contribute to their world. Noticing and valuing the natural environment and its sounds. |
| Australian Curriculum v9.0, Foundation English | Language and Literacy. Phonological awareness, listening for and identifying sounds, and responding to a text. |
A note on calm
Listen For It is a natural wind down. It works beautifully as a quiet listening pause before rest or a transition in the day.
One More Story® is a registered Australian trade mark, number 2586962. This guide is free to print and share for classroom and centre use.
