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Listening & responding

Year 2 · Speaking & listening

Attend to the whole message, including its order, place and reason.

Choose a game

Take your time, try a game and collect stars.

Activities to try together away from the screen

Try it together

Use a short shared task after playing.

  1. Choose one example from the game and share it with a listening partner.
  2. Ask a relevant follow-up question and allow time for a complete response.
  3. Notice one success and agree on one small next step.

Helping your child with listening & responding

Listen for the detail that changes the action

The spoken-language requirements apply throughout primary school. In this Year 2 practice, short messages ask children to notice details such as before, after, which cup to move and where to meet. Hearing one familiar word is not enough; the response needs to fit the complete message. Listen again when needed and explain which part changed the choice.

Use conversation to extend the game

After matching a message, let your child give a similar instruction to a grown-up. The listener can ask a relevant question if something is unclear. Swap roles and practise waiting for the complete message before acting. The game checks prepared responses and offers a readable alternative; real listening also involves turn-taking, attention to another person and clarification in the moment.

Try a concrete example

For the book-and-coat message, ask which action happens first. Then swap the order in a new spoken instruction and see whether the listener notices. Discuss how before changes the action, rather than assuming the two familiar objects tell the whole story.

Curriculum connection

Spoken-language requirements are shared across Years 1–6. These tasks prepare selected skills at a level intended for Year 2. Read the official English programme of study.

Questions families ask

Can children read the messages instead?

Yes. A text alternative supports access and shared reading. Choose the version that is useful for the child and practise real listening together as well.

How should we choose the next challenge?

Start with a skill the child is learning at school. Use the game as a short practice opportunity, then return to a real book, a useful piece of writing or a conversation. Follow the teacher’s sequence where it differs.