Core Routines: Expanding the Senses, Sit Spot
Skills Practiced: Directional hearing, auditory sensitivity, deep listening
Ecological Indicators: Mammals, birds
Qualities Fostered: Attunement, Stillness, Awareness
Directions (Shields): South (Activate), Southwest (Take a Break)
Suggested Age Range: All ages (especially good for 5+; children love the physical gesture)
Timing & Energy Level: Pairs well with Sit Spot, Owl Eyes, or after Wandering (Southwest to Northwest)
Set-Up & Materials:
- Any natural soundscape—woods, field, backyard, or even urban edge
- No materials needed
- A quiet moment and a still group are best
Description:
Deer Ears teaches participants to deepen their auditory awareness by cupping their hands behind their ears to amplify and direct sound—just like a deer constantly scanning for predators or movement. This simple physical gesture changes how we hear and shifts the focus away from sight, helping participants notice rustles, birdsong, wind in the trees, and even far-off voices. Often practiced at Sit Spot or before a sensory game, Deer Ears cultivates a quiet mind, deep attention, and a growing sense of connection to the soundscape.
Coyote Mentoring Tips:
- Ask: “How do animals survive if they can’t always see what’s around them?”
- Model it playfully: turn your head slowly while using Deer Ears and ask what changes.
- Use before or after Bird Language routines to deepen awareness.
- Let it be short—just a few minutes of quiet can be powerful.
Variations:
- Face different directions and compare what’s heard
- Use one hand only and switch sides
- Pair with Sound Mapping or journaling
Debrief Prompts:
- “What’s something you heard that you wouldn’t normally notice?”
- “How did it feel to sit and listen like a deer?”
- “What sounds felt close? What felt far away?”
Story Seeds:
- Deer as guide and guardian in indigenous stories
- Tales of quiet animals surviving through sensitivity
- Personal stories of hearing something important by paying attention