Quiet!: questions to ask and activities to try
Shh! What can we hear when we're really, really quiet? Quiet! is a gentle, inclusive picture book about listening to the sounds of home as the day winds down.
What age is it for? Quiet! is best for ages 1–5. Good for: Listening to the sounds of home.
Read it in a quiet voice and stop to listen for real sounds around you. It's a lovely calming book for the end of the day.
What it helps with
- Listening carefully
- Calming down at the end of the day
- Noticing sounds around us
- Family life at home
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What sounds did you hear at dinner time?”
- “What was the quietest sound?”
- “Who was talking at bedtime?”
- “What can you hear right now?”
- “Which sounds are loud? Which are quiet?”
- “What sound do you like best?”
5-minute activities to try together
Listening minute
Sit together with eyes closed for one minute and list every sound you hear.
Sound hunt
Find things around the house that make loud sounds and quiet sounds.
Free printables: Quiet! worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
Maisy Goes to Bed (Lucy Cousins)
- Best for
- Getting ready for bed, step by step
- Age
- 1-4
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.