Following Simple Directions
Ability to follow simple one-step directions with gestural and verbal cues
What the research says
Referenced across 1 developmental framework: cdc_milestones
Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.
Before this (2)
Required (2)
- Receptive VocabularyMin: developingMust understand words in directions
- Sustained AttentionMin: developingMust be able to attend to and remember direction
Helpful
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Character
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How it's taught
Give clear, simple directions. Combine words with gestures initially. Use positive language ('Please sit' vs 'Don't stand'). Be consistent. Celebrate compliance. Gradually reduce gestural cues.
Materials: Everyday objects and activities
What mastery looks like
Does not respond to directions even with gestures
- Ignores adult requests
- Continues own activity when directed to do something else
- Shows no awareness of expectations
Occasionally follows directions but inconsistently
- Follows familiar routine directions but not novel ones
- Needs multiple repetitions
- Follows only when highly motivated
Regularly follows simple directions with gesture and word cues
- Gives toy when asked with hand gesture
- Comes when called with beckoning gesture
- Follows 3-5 different simple directions
- Needs both verbal and gestural cues
Follows simple directions with minimal gestural support
- Follows verbal directions with slight gesture
- Follows many different types of directions
- Responds promptly without multiple repetitions
- Beginning to follow verbal-only directions in familiar contexts
Follows verbal directions without gestures and begins following two-step directions
- Follows verbal-only directions consistently
- Follows two-step directions ('Get your shoes and bring them here')
- Follows directions in novel contexts
- Shows understanding of behavioral expectations
Related activities
No activities directly mapped to this yet. These are age and domain-appropriate alternatives.
Your Turn, My Turn — The Sharing Game
Parent and preschooler play structured games that require turn-taking — rolling a ball, building together, or a simple card game. Agent guides parent to observe waiting ability, sharing, empathy, and social regulation during interactive play.
Kitchen Band Turn-Taking Jam
Tower Triumph
A stacking challenge that encourages {child_name} to keep trying when things get tricky, building persistence through playful problem-solving.
Treasure Box Challenge
A playful activity where {child_name} learns to recognize when help is needed while trying to open a tricky treasure box, practicing asking for assistance appropriately.
Puppet Problem Solvers
A playful puppet show activity where {child_name} helps puppet friends solve everyday conflicts using words and peaceful strategies.
Emotion Detective with Feelings Faces
A playful game where you and {child_name} create funny faces to explore different emotions, helping {him_her} recognize and name feelings in a safe, fun way.
Formal assessments
No matching assessment items indexed yet.
Standardised assessment view
1 instrument measure this construct. The construct page shows how each one approaches it and at what age range.
View as assessment construct →