Ages: 4 Years - 9 Years

by Kristen Wilson and Elizabeth Sautter

(Click image to enlarge)   28 Pages

This is the 2nd book in a two-part series to help our students develop a better concept of holistic listening, or Whole Body Listening. In this charming comic book, told in Poem, the authors, Sautter and Wilson explore how two siblings, Leah and Luka, struggle to focus their brains and bodies during the school day. Kindly, a peer mentor helps to explain to these students how they need to use their eyes, hands, feet, heart, brain, etc. to listen in group environments to not only access the information but to work as part of a group. Preschool through 3^rd grade students love the antics of the characters as they teach this important concept in a very fun manner!

What is Whole Body Listening?

Whole Body Listening is more than just “hearing” with the ears. It includes:

• listening with the eyes (looking at the speaker)
• listening with the mouth (closed and quiet - no talking, humming, making sounds, etc.)
• listening with the body (facing the speaker)
• listening with the hands (quietly at the side of the body or in the lap)
• listening with the feet (standing still or quietly on the floor)
• listening with the brain (thinking about what the speaker is saying)
• and listening with the heart (caring about what the speaker is saying)

Being a good listener means much more than just hearing what is said with the ears. It is important to break down ALL of the components of listening for your child. Many children hear various statements like, “Show me good listening” or “I need you to listen”; however, we often forget to talk about what that means. When the entire family understands the components of Whole Body Listening, you can give specific instruction about which areas of listening you would like your child to improve – “Sally, I need you to listen with your feet.”

How to use this book:

Take the time to look at all the photos, and have your child think about what it means to listen with each body part. Talk about how the characters in this book feel when they are not listening or being listened to. Then ask your child how he or she feels when someone IS or IS NOT listening with their whole body when he or she is talking. Finally, discuss the impression that your child makes on the speaker when your child is not using Whole Body Listening.

We also sell a Poster for Whole Body Listening Larry that provides a fun way to reinforce the lessons of the Whole Body Listening Larry storybooks.

About the Authors

Kristen Wilson, MS CCC, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with children, teens and adults with autism, social differences and language disorders. She is a Southern California native who has enjoyed working in a variety of settings over the past decade. She believes building self esteem and self awareness is the key to successful therapy. Kristen lives in Placentia, CA with her husband.

Elizabeth Sautter, MA, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist and co-director/owner of Communication Works, an Oakland, CA-based private practice that provides speech, language and occupational therapy. She has specialized in supporting those with autism, developmental disabilities and social cognitive deficits for over 15 years. Since 2001, Elizabeth has focused her practice on social learning interventions, helping clients understand the thoughts of others and improving their social skills. Additionally, her relationships with her sister and extended family members with special needs have made her work a life-long endeavor. She resides in Oakland with her husband and two sons.

Eric Hutchison has been working professionally in the arts and entertainment industry for almost 10 years and currently resides with his wife and two children in Southern California.

Ages Pre-K – 3rd grade

28 pages
Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-9825231-8-6