“If you give {child_name} a simple instruction without pointing — 'put the book on the table', 'bring me your shoe' — does {he_she} know what to do?”
Follow-up: “Does {he_she} manage instructions with two parts, like 'get your cup and give it to daddy'?”
Not yet
Follows instructions only with pointing or demonstration
Emerging
Follows single-step instructions without gesture most of the time
Developing
Follows simple two-part instructions
Secure
Follows two-part instructions reliably, and some three-part
This tracks pure listening comprehension — it grows very fast between 18 and 30 months.