Listening · Movement · Drawing
Quiet listening walk
Walk slowly and silently around the school grounds, a garden or a park, then draw what you heard.
- 15 minutes
- On your own, Whole class
- Ages 5–7, Ages 7–9
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: drawing frame
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: silence is golden. Ask what you might hear if everyone stayed quiet.
- Choose a safe route with an adult: a playground, a garden, a corridor or a park path. Stay together.
- Walk slowly for five minutes without talking. Listen for as many sounds as you can.
- Stop once and close your eyes for ten slow breaths. What can you hear now?
- Back inside, draw three sounds you heard in the frame. Write or say a word for each.
Questions to talk about
- Which sound did you only notice because you were quiet?
- When is it good to be quiet? When is it good to speak up?
You will need
- The printed drawing frame
- Crayons or pencils
- A safe place to walk, with an adult
Make it fit
Simpler: Sit still in one spot instead of walking, and listen for one minute.
More of a stretch: Draw a map of the walk and mark where you heard each sound.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The drawing frame
Quiet listening walk
Name
Draw three sounds you heard on your quiet walk.
The instructions card
How to run it · Listening · Movement · Drawing
Quiet listening walk
Walk slowly and silently around the school grounds, a garden or a park, then draw what you heard.
15 minutesOn your own, Whole classAges 5–7, Ages 7–9
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: silence is golden. Ask what you might hear if everyone stayed quiet.
- Choose a safe route with an adult: a playground, a garden, a corridor or a park path. Stay together.
- Walk slowly for five minutes without talking. Listen for as many sounds as you can.
- Stop once and close your eyes for ten slow breaths. What can you hear now?
- Back inside, draw three sounds you heard in the frame. Write or say a word for each.
You will need
- The printed drawing frame
- Crayons or pencils
- A safe place to walk, with an adult
Talk about
- Which sound did you only notice because you were quiet?
- When is it good to be quiet? When is it good to speak up?
Make it fit
Simpler: Sit still in one spot instead of walking, and listen for one minute.
Stretch: Draw a map of the walk and mark where you heard each sound.
Goes with the printable drawing frame.