Following Simple Directions: The Learning Focus
Following simple directions means understanding a spoken request and responding to it. The focus is the language in the instruction, rather than obedience, speed, or the neatness of a pencil mark.
A Practical Starting Point
Begin with one familiar action: ‘Point to the bird.’ When that is comfortable, try two connected steps: ‘Point to the bird, then touch the tree.’ Say the direction before the child starts and give time to act. If the response differs, check whether the picture, vocabulary, or number of steps caused the difficulty.
Choosing Appropriate Support
Use accessible response methods such as looking, pointing, or moving a card. Add gestures or repeat the direction when support is needed. Do not confuse difficulty hearing or processing an instruction with refusal. Increase only one demand at a time, such as moving from one step to two while keeping the picture familiar.
Distinguish Related Learning Goals
- Picture Comprehension: Look closely at a scene and answer spoken who, what, or where questions using details shown in the picture.
- Story Sequencing: Arrange illustrated events from a short familiar story into first-next-last order after an adult reads the story.