OLSAT Test Prep Game: Build Your Child’s Listening Skills!

Having strong listening skills are especially important for children taking the OLSAT, although they are vital to any IQ test your child takes. Many times on intelligence tests, questions can’t be repeated because listening skills (or receptive language) is being evaluated. This game will help your child practice her listening skills. It is a good game to play while traveling. You’ll list 3 words for your child. Two will be the same and one will be different. Your child should listen carefully, then call out the word that was the same. In the first example below, she would call out the word “head.” Here are some words to start with:

- head-straw-head
- match-match-present
- crib-scissors-crib
- ruler-dog-dog
- cheese-foot-cheese
- girl-girl-boy
- four-three-three
- bat-cat-cat
- bone-bone-home
- one-two-two
- green-blue-green
- B-C-C
- tree-bush-bush
- door-knob-door
- car-cat-car

You can play a different version of this game by having your child call out the different word (letter or number). Play one round where she calls out the same word and another round where she calls out different words. I wouldn’t suggest mixing the rules within one round as it may get too confusing for your child.

This activity builds listening skills, teaches your child to follow directions, strengthens language skills, and enhances thinking skills (same vs. different).