Introduction

As educators, one of our primary goals is to teach our students how to follow directions effectively. Being able to follow directions is a crucial skill that not only helps students complete their work efficiently but also fosters a positive classroom environment. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy, no-prep activity that educators can use to teach PreK students to follow directions, along with some thought-provoking discussion questions and related skills.

No-Prep Activity: The Listening Game

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be done in any classroom setting. The Listening Game is designed to help students practice listening to and following directions from their teacher.

1. Ask your students to sit in a circle on the floor.
2. Explain that you will be giving them a series of directions, and their job is to listen carefully and follow the directions as quickly as possible.
3. Begin by giving simple one-step directions, such as “touch your nose” or “clap your hands.” As students become more comfortable, increase the complexity of the directions by adding more steps or incorporating actions that require students to interact with each other.
4. After each direction, praise students who followed the direction correctly and quickly. Encourage those who may have struggled to listen more attentively and try again.
5. Repeat the game as often as needed, adjusting the difficulty of the directions to challenge students and keep them engaged.

This activity not only helps students practice following directions but also encourages them to listen attentively to their teacher and peers, which is an essential skill in any classroom setting.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Listening Game, use these discussion questions to further engage your students and deepen their understanding of the importance of following directions:

• Why is it important to listen carefully when someone is giving directions?
• How does following directions help us complete our work efficiently?
• What can you do if you’re having trouble understanding or remembering the directions given?
• How does following directions contribute to a positive classroom environment?
• Can you think of a time when you followed directions well and it helped you accomplish a task? How did it make you feel?

Related Skills

Teaching students to follow directions is just one aspect of fostering a positive and productive classroom environment. Other related skills that educators should consider focusing on include:

• Active listening
• Communication skills
• Self-regulation
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration and teamwork

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about this no-prep activity and its benefits, consider incorporating it into your classroom routine to help your PreK students develop their ability to follow directions. Additionally, explore other strategies and resources that can support your students’ social-emotional learning by signing up for free samples of skill-building materials at Everyday Speech. These materials can help you further enhance your students’ listening skills, communication abilities, and overall classroom experience.