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Language Concepts

Following Directions

One step, two steps, and directions with concepts buried inside them.

Mastered by
ASHA places following a two-step direction ("Get the spoon, and put it on the table") in the 19-to-24-month band, with longer and more complex directions through 3 to 5
Practice items
27
Sections
4

What this skill is

Following a direction is a listening and memory task as much as a language one. A child has to hold the whole instruction, work out the order, and act - and each extra step or extra concept costs them something. That is why "put the book on the shelf" can succeed while "before you put the book on the shelf, close it" fails, even though the vocabulary is the same.

What to expect

When a two-step direction is too much, the usual result is that only one step gets done - often the last one heard. That is a working memory limit, not defiance, and the giveaway is that both steps succeed when given separately. Directions with concepts inside them (first, before, the big one) are harder again, because the concept has to be decoded while the list is being held.

Try this at home

Cooking and tidying are full of real two-step directions with a visible result: "Get the spoon and put it in the bowl." Resist repeating it immediately. Give the child a few seconds - the pause is often all they need, and repeating too fast teaches them not to bother listening the first time.

When to refer

Cannot follow a two-step direction by about 3;6, or needs every direction repeated at 5 despite normal hearing.

Print it

Following Directions worksheet27 items across 4 sections, with answer key · PDF

One Step

7 items

Read each direction once. See what the child does.

  1. 1.Touch your nose.touches nose
  2. 2.Stand up.stands up
  3. 3.Pick up the red block.picks up red block
  4. 4.Give me the spoon.hands over spoon
  5. 5.Open the book.opens book
  6. 6.Clap your hands.claps
  7. 7.Put the cup on the table.cup on table

Two Steps

7 items

Read each direction once, all the way through, before the child acts.

  1. 1.Touch your head and then jump.touches head, jumps
  2. 2.Pick up the block and put it in the box.block into box
  3. 3.Stand up and turn around.stands, turns
  4. 4.Give me the spoon and take the fork.hands spoon, takes fork
  5. 5.Close the book and put it on the shelf.closes book, shelves it
  6. 6.Clap twice and then sit down.claps twice, sits
  7. 7.Get your shoes and bring them here.fetches shoes

Two Steps with a Concept Inside

8 items

These have a size, color, number or order word buried in them. Read each one once.

  1. 1.Put the big block in the box, not the little one.big block only
  2. 2.Before you sit down, touch the door.touches door first, then sits
  3. 3.Pick up the blue crayon and give me the red one.blue picked up, red handed over
  4. 4.Give me two blocks and keep one.hands over two
  5. 5.After you close the book, put it under the chair.closes, then under chair
  6. 6.Touch the last one in the row.touches the last
  7. 7.Put the cup between the two plates.cup in the middle
  8. 8.First clap, then stand up.claps, then stands

Three Steps

5 items

For older children. Read once, then wait - do not repeat it straight away.

  1. 1.Stand up, touch the door, and sit back down.all three in order
  2. 2.Pick up the red block, put it in the box, and close the lid.all three in order
  3. 3.Get a paper towel, wipe the table, and throw it away.all three in order
  4. 4.Clap your hands, say your name, and point to the window.all three in order
  5. 5.Take off your shoes, put them by the door, and wash your hands.all three in order