Following Directions
Learn
Directions tell us what to do and what order to do it! Following directions is like following a treasure map - each step leads to the next!
What are Directions?
Directions are steps that tell you what to do. They can be one step or many steps. The order matters!
Steps to Follow Directions
Stop
Stop what you're doing
Look
Look at who is talking
Listen
Hear ALL the steps
Do
Do steps in order
Magic Words That Help!
Listen for these special words - they tell you the order!
Do this one!
Do this next!
After that!
The final step!
You're done!
One-Step vs. Multi-Step Directions
One-step direction: "Please sit down."
Just ONE thing to do!
Two-step direction: "Put away your book, then come to the rug."
TWO things to do in order!
Three-step direction: "First get your coat, then put on your backpack, then line up."
THREE things to do in order!
Examples
Let's practice following directions together!
Example 1: Simple Direction
Direction: "Touch your nose."
What to do: This is ONE step! You just touch your nose.
Count the steps: 1 step = touch nose
Example 2: Two-Step Direction
Direction: "First clap your hands, then stomp your feet."
What to do:
- Step 1: Clap your hands (FIRST)
- Step 2: Stomp your feet (THEN)
Important: Clap comes BEFORE stomp because of the word "first"!
Example 3: Cleanup Directions
Direction: "Put the blocks in the bin, then wash your hands."
What to do:
- Step 1: Put blocks in the bin
- Step 2: Wash your hands
Wrong way: Washing hands first, then putting blocks away. The order matters!
Example 4: Art Project Directions
Direction: "First color the sun yellow, next draw a tree, then write your name."
What to do:
- Step 1: Color sun yellow (FIRST)
- Step 2: Draw a tree (NEXT)
- Step 3: Write your name (THEN)
Tip: Count on your fingers - that's 3 steps!
Example 5: Getting Ready to Go Home
Direction: "Stack your chairs, get your backpack from your cubby, then line up at the door."
What to do:
- Step 1: Stack chairs
- Step 2: Get backpack from cubby
- Step 3: Line up at door
Remember: Listen to ALL the steps before you start!
Practice Problems
Read each direction. Think about what to do!
Problem 1
Direction: "Stand up." How many steps is this?
Show Answer
ONE step! Just stand up. Simple directions have just one thing to do.
Problem 2
Direction: "First touch your head, then touch your toes." What do you do first?
Show Answer
Touch your head first! The word "first" tells you what to do before "then."
Problem 3
Direction: "Put your pencil down and look at me." How many steps?
Show Answer
TWO steps! Step 1: Put pencil down. Step 2: Look at the teacher.
Problem 4
Direction: "Draw a circle, color it red, then cut it out." What's the last step?
Show Answer
Cut it out! The word "then" at the end tells you this is the last step.
Problem 5
Your teacher says "Hop on one foot, then spin around." You spin first. Is that right?
Show Answer
No! You should hop first, THEN spin. The order matters!
Problem 6
What word tells you to do something AFTER another thing?
Show Answer
The words THEN, NEXT, or AFTER tell you to do something second!
Problem 7
Direction: "Get a book and sit in your spot." What should you get?
Show Answer
A book! Then you sit in your spot while holding it.
Problem 8
You hear a direction but miss part of it. What should you do?
Show Answer
Ask politely! Say "Can you please repeat that?" It's okay to ask for help!
Problem 9
Direction: "First push in your chair, next get your coat, finally line up." How many steps?
Show Answer
THREE steps! The words first, next, and finally show 3 different things to do.
Problem 10
Why is it important to listen to ALL the directions before starting?
Show Answer
You need to know all the steps so you can do them in the right order! If you start too soon, you might miss something!
Check Your Understanding
Show what you learned about following directions!
Question 1
What are directions?
Show Answer
Directions are steps that tell you what to do. They can be one step or many steps, and the order matters!
Question 2
What are the 4 steps to follow directions?
Show Answer
Stop, Look, Listen, Do! Stop what you're doing, look at who's talking, listen to all the steps, then do them in order.
Question 3
Name 3 "magic words" that tell you the order of steps.
Show Answer
Magic words include: FIRST, THEN, NEXT, LAST, FINALLY, AFTER. (Any 3 of these!)
Question 4
What's the difference between a one-step and two-step direction?
Show Answer
A one-step direction has just ONE thing to do. A two-step direction has TWO things to do in a certain order!
Next Steps
Practice at Home!
- Play "Simon Says" with two-step commands!
- Help a parent cook by following recipe steps
- Give YOUR parent directions and see if they follow them!
- Count how many steps are in your bedtime routine