Learning to listen

Learning to listen

My ears can hear dozens—maybe even hundreds—of sounds all at the
same time. All around me are the sounds of animals, things, nature, and
people. If I really heard all these sounds at the same time, I would be
very mixed up. So I don’t just hear—I listen. Unless it’s too noisy,
my brain picks out the sounds I need.

I listen to the people and the things that interest me—my dad telling
a story . . . my favorite TV program.

I listen to sounds that are a little spooky—the basement stairs
creaking . . . wind in the trees.

I listen to popcorn popping or the cat purring, and these sounds give me
a warm feeling.

I listen to warnings—“Watch out for the ball!”

I listen to instructions—how to play a game . . . how to put together
a puzzle.

I listen to orders from grown-ups— “It’s time to go to bed!”

When my brain chooses what my ears will hear, then I think and I feel
and I know I am listening.