Little Ears, Big Skills: Why Following Directions Matters in Preschool & Kindergarten

As Preschool and Kindergarten teachers, we do so much more than teach letters and numbers. We’re helping our students learn how to be students. One of the biggest (and most important!) skills we help them develop is learning how to follow directions.

Following directions might sound simple, but for young learners, it’s a skill that takes time, practice, and lots of patience. Listening, remembering steps, and acting on what they hear doesn’t always come naturally—so it’s our job to teach it in ways that are fun, supportive, and age-appropriate.

Why Following Directions Is Such a Big Deal

When students can follow directions, everything in the classroom runs more smoothly. They feel more confident, transitions are easier, and learning becomes less frustrating.

Strong direction-following skills help students:

• Participate in activities with confidence

• Work more independently

• Stay focused and engaged

• Feel successful and proud of their work

Most importantly, these skills lay the foundation for future learning. When students understand how to listen and respond, they’re ready to tackle new challenges.

Making Practice Fun (Because It Should Be!)

The best way to teach following directions is through play. When learning feels like a game, students are more motivated to listen carefully and try their best—and they don’t even realize they’re practicing an important skill!

Here are some easy, fun ways to build following directions into your day:

• Freeze Dance – Play music and give directions like “dance,” “jump,” or “spin,” then freeze when the music stops.

• Simon Says or Teacher Says– A classic for a reason! This game is perfect for practicing listening and paying close attention.

• Action Directions – Give silly multi-step directions such as, “Touch your nose, clap twice, then sit down.”

• Follow-the-Leader – Have students copy movements or actions in the correct order.

• Line-Up Challenges – Try directions like, “Line up quietly, hands on your head, facing the door.”

• Clean-Up Commands – Turn clean-up time into a listening game with specific steps to follow.

• Play Red Light, Green Light- Another classic that's perfect for an outdoor listening opportunity; plus this one gets them really moving!

These playful moments help students practice listening, remembering, and responding—all while keeping energy high and stress low.

Play Games! Board games, educational games, it doesn't matter! Games are the perfect opportunity to sneak in some following directions practice without making it seem like a lesson.

Adding Paper-and-Pencil Practice (Without the Groans!)

Along with games and movement, paper-and-pencil activities can be a great way to strengthen following directions—especially when they’re cute, simple, and kid-friendly.

Our following directions worksheets give students a chance to slow down, listen carefully, and complete each step. You can:

• Let students read the directions on their own, or

• Read the directions aloud and work through them together

Either way, students are practicing listening, comprehension, and attention to detail—all in one activity!

Fun Following Directions Worksheets

Turning It Into a Fun Classroom Challenge

One of our favorite ways to use these worksheets is by turning them into a little challenge (and the kids LOVE it!).

Here’s how we do it:

1. Space students out so they can’t peek at each other’s work

2. Read the directions one step at a time

3. Give students time to complete each step

4. Check the work together as a class

Students get so excited to see if they followed every direction correctly, and it opens the door for great conversations about listening, trying their best, and learning from mistakes.

Setting Students Up for Success

Following directions is a skill that needs to be taught, practiced, and celebrated. When we intentionally build it into our classrooms—through play, routines, and engaging activities—we help our students grow into confident, capable learners.

A little practice now goes a long way later, and it’s amazing to watch our students realize just how much they can do when they slow down, listen, and try their best.