# How can I work on Following Simple Directions with my child at home?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-following-simple-directions-with-my-child-at-home
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Following simple directions grows through everyday play and routine, not drills. Begin with one-step instructions paired with a gesture, use favourite activities, allow time to respond, and praise every attempt. Build to two-step directions slowly, and check in with a professional — including a hearing review — if simple requests or name response are consistently hard.

*When your child turns to look as you say "get your shoes" — that small moment of understanding is one of the most powerful building blocks of communication.*

## In short
Following simple directions grows naturally through everyday play and routine — not drills. Start with one-step instructions paired with a gesture, use your child's favourite activities, and celebrate every attempt. Little and often, woven into your day, beats long practice sessions every time.

## Easy ways to practise at home
**Start with one step, paired with a gesture**
- Say "Give me the ball" while holding out your hand. The gesture gives a clue, so success comes easily.
- Keep language short and clear: "Sit down", "Come here", "Wave bye-bye".
- Use their name first, then a pause, then the direction — it primes them to listen.

**Build it into daily routines**
- Bath time: "Splash the water", "Wash your tummy".
- Tidy-up time: "Put the blocks in the box" — a real-world favourite.
- Mealtime: "Bring your spoon", "Pass me the cup".

**Make it playful**
- Simon Says, hide-and-seek, and silly action games ("jump", "clap", "stomp") turn listening into fun.
- Read together and add gentle directions: "Point to the dog", "Turn the page".

**Grow the challenge slowly**
- Once one-step directions are easy, try two-step ones: "Get your shoes and bring them here."
- Fade out the gesture gradually so your child listens to the words alone.

**Set them up to succeed**
- Get down to their level and make eye contact first.
- Give one direction at a time and allow plenty of time to respond.
- Praise the effort warmly — a smile and "You did it!" keeps them motivated.

## When to check in with a professional
Many children follow simple directions reliably between 18 months and 2 years, often with a gesture cue at first. If your child consistently doesn't respond to their name, simple requests or their everyday routine seems hard to follow — and especially if you have a niggling worry — a quick developmental check and a hearing review are sensible, supportive next steps.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from an online tip sheet. Our team can show you how [following simple directions](/following-simple-directions) fits the bigger picture of your child's communication, and tailor home strategies through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) if helpful.

## Trusted sources
Guided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on receptive language development, the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones, and AAP healthychildren.org guidance on talking and listening with young children.

**Next step —** to understand how your child follows directions and how to support them at home, book a developmental assessment with the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- ASHA — Speech and language development: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP healthychildren.org — Toddler development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Find Activities: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/find_activities
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

## Related question paths

### At home & in everyday life
- How to Work on Following Simple One-Step Directions at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-following-simple-onestep-directions-with-my-child-at-home
- How can I work on Follow the Directions with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-follow-the-directions-with-my-child-at-home
- How to Work on Simple Direction Following at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-simple-direction-following-with-my-child-at-home
- How to Work on Following Directions with Your Child at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-following-directions-with-my-child-at-home
- How can I work on Simple Directions with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-simple-direction-with-my-child-at-home
- How can I work on Follow the Direction with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-follow-the-direction-with-my-child-at-home