Following Directions Guide for Parents

Concept Explanation (Why It Matters)

Following directions is a foundational skill crucial for a child’s success in kindergarten and beyond. When a child follows directions, they demonstrate the ability to listen, focus, and comprehend tasks, which are essential for classroom settings. This skill typically begins to develop around ages four to six, a period marked by increased cognitive and language abilities.

Research shows that children who can follow directions tend to perform better academically as they are more adaptable to structured learning environments. Signs that your child is ready to learn this skill include responding to simple commands, such as "Please bring me your shoes" or "Can you put the toy in the basket?" These everyday interactions lay the groundwork for more complex instructions they will encounter in school.

Examples

Here are some hands-on activities to improve your child's ability to follow directions:

1. Simon Says: This classic game is excellent for practicing listening skills. Use commands like "Simon says, touch your nose" and gradually increase the complexity of the tasks.
2. Cooking Together: Involve your child in preparing a meal. Ask them to fetch ingredients or stir the batter by following your step-by-step instructions.
3. Treasure Hunt: Create a simple map and give verbal clues that your child must follow to find a hidden object, enhancing their ability to process instructions.
4. Drawing Instructions: Provide a simple drawing task where your child must follow your verbal instructions to create a picture. For example, "Draw a circle, then add three dots inside it."
5. Building Blocks: Give your child specific building instructions using blocks, like "Build a tower with four blue blocks and three red blocks."

These activities not only make following directions fun but also help reinforce the importance of listening to and understanding instructions.

Worksheets

Worksheets are a great way to reinforce following directions. Here are some ideas:

• Color-by-Number: These worksheets require the child to follow a key to color a picture. This reinforces their ability to match instructions with actions.
• Step-by-Step Drawing: Provide worksheets that guide them through drawing a picture by following a series of steps, reinforcing sequential thinking.
• Cut and Paste Activities: These worksheets involve following instructions to cut out shapes and paste them in a specific order or pattern, enhancing fine motor skills and direction-following.

To maximize the effectiveness of worksheets, sit with your child as they complete them, offer guidance as needed, and celebrate their success to boost confidence and motivation.

Printable Download

Download our free printable PDF that includes activities designed to help your child practice following directions. This resource offers a variety of games and exercises you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. Visit our printables page for more options.

Try Interactive Lessons (End CTA)

After exploring our printable resources, you might be interested in trying Kindergarten Start’s interactive lessons. Our curriculum includes short daily lessons that build on following directions, with progress tracking and activities tailored to your child’s age. This calm, ad-free environment helps maintain focus and encourages learning.