Back to school isn’t just about new backpacks and colorful notebooks. For many children, the real challenge is being able to stay focused for more than a few minutes. More and more teachers report classrooms where students are easily distracted—by a sound, a screen, or wandering thoughts. And the data supports this: according to ISTAT, the number of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) has increased significantly, rising by about 23–25%, now affecting nearly a quarter of all Italian classrooms.
To this, we must add the impact of digital technologies which, while offering new educational opportunities, are also weakening children’s ability to maintain prolonged attention.
In this scenario, listening emerges as a tool of extraordinary importance. A 2024 study showed that for preschool children, strategies such as guided imagination during audio stories improve comprehension and activate brain areas related to language (MDPI, 2024). Similarly, a 2025 survey by the National Literacy Trust revealed that 42% of young people aged 8–18 prefer listening to audiobooks or podcasts over reading printed text—indicating a major shift in how they engage with information (The Guardian, 2025).
A child listening to an audiobook or podcast isn’t just “hearing words”—they’re entering a narrative space that helps them follow a logical sequence, stay present, and imagine characters and settings. In fact, research from the University of Maryland (2023) found that the brain shifts from passive to active listening through activation of the orbitofrontal cortex. This shows that listening is a skill that can be trained and strengthened like any other cognitive ability.
Active listening—paying attention with awareness and presence—boosts concentration, comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills, helping children feel more engaged and confident in group settings.
That said, reading aloud, whether in the classroom or at home, remains irreplaceable. Many studies—including those supported by the Nati per Leggere (Born to Read) project—confirm that children who are read to from an early age develop better attention spans, richer vocabularies, and a more positive attitude toward school.
An adult’s voice brings something no digital tool can ever replicate: pauses, tone, eye contact—elements that make the experience alive, emotional, and shared.
Practical Strategies for Teaching Listening Skills
Teaching children how to listen has become a crucial task. Learning to “quiet the mind” and focus is now a real skill to be nurtured. Listening isn’t just about hearing—it’s about connecting with others, with oneself, and with the world. It’s a capacity built gradually through meaningful, everyday experiences.
Here are a few practical strategies to support parents and educators in guiding children on this journey:
1. Reduce Digital Distractions
Excessive screen time can impair attention and make it harder to practice active listening. Families should set clear guidelines to help manage screen time, and create regular screen-free moments where listening, conversation, and creativity are prioritized.
ALSO READ: Parents and the Challenges of the Digital Age – Screen Time and Children: Tips and Rules – Growing Up Digital
2. Embrace Rhythmic and Narrative Activities
Poetry, music, and storytelling are powerful tools to help children build concentration and stimulate imagination. These activities not only entertain, but also teach kids to follow a rhythm, wait their turn, and listen to others.
ALSO READ: Writing and Telling Stories for Children – Reading Aloud with Pino Costalunga – Music as an Educational Experience
3. Introduce Mindful Listening and Yoga
Practices such as meditation, guided breathing, or listening to calming audio can help children develop deeper awareness, both of others and of themselves. This supports emotional self-regulation and strengthens self-awareness.
ALSO READ: Back-to-School Emotions – Helping Kids Recognize and Manage What They Feel
