When a child is struggling to stay with a conversation, group activity or classroom instruction, a simple visual listening scale can make the next step easier to understand. My Listening Scale is a colourful printable behaviour and communication aid for children, using a 1 to 5 scale to describe listening levels: Not Listening, Distracted, Trying to Listen, Good Listening and Super Listener.
The PDF includes two bright poster-style versions of the same listening scale, each using cartoon characters and child-friendly language. One version keeps the wording simple and uncluttered, while the other adds small speech bubbles such as focus prompts and positive listening messages, making it useful for children who respond well to visual cues, humour and concrete examples.
Teachers, teaching assistants, parents, carers, social workers, counsellors and family support workers could use it with primary-aged children, younger pupils, children with attention difficulties, autistic children, children with ADHD traits, or any child who benefits from clear visual prompts. It may be printed for a classroom wall, calm corner, therapy room, home learning space or family noticeboard.
In practice, an adult might point to the scale before giving instructions, ask a child to identify where they are on the scale, or use it after an activity to reflect on what helped them move towards good listening. The numbered format also makes it easy to set small goals, for example moving from distracted to trying to listen, rather than expecting perfect attention straight away.
The visual layout supports conversations about active listening, focus, attention, classroom behaviour, self-regulation and social skills in a way that feels accessible rather than critical. The resource is credited to Edita Stiborova.
