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How to Practise Simple Commands With Your Child at Home
Build your child's ability to follow a simple command at home by giving short, clear one-step instructions, pairing words with a gesture, tying them to fun and daily routines, and warmly celebrating every attempt. Practise little and often.
In this answer 5 sections
Following a simple command is one of the biggest leaps in your child's early communication — and your living room is the perfect place to practise it.
In short
You can build your child's ability to follow a simple command at home by keeping instructions short, clear and tied to things they enjoy. Use one-step requests like "Give me the ball" or "Come here", pair your words with a gesture and a warm smile, and celebrate every attempt. Little and often — woven into play and daily routines — works far better than long, formal sessions.
Everyday ways to practise
Keep it to one step. Start with a single clear action: "Sit down", "Open the box", "Wave bye-bye". Use your child's name first to get their attention, then say the command once.
Pair words with a gesture. Point, hold out your hand, or model the action yourself. This visual cue helps your child understand and gives them a way to copy you while the words sink in.
Make it motivating. Tie commands to things they already want — "Push the car", "Give me the bubbles so I can blow more". When following the command leads to something fun, the lesson sticks.
Build it into routines. Bath time ("Splash the water"), mealtimes ("Pick up the spoon"), tidy-up ("Put it in the basket"). Familiar moments make commands predictable and easy.
Wait and watch. Give a few quiet seconds for your child to respond before gently helping them through the action. Then praise warmly — a clap, a cuddle, a cheer.
Grow slowly. Once one-step commands are easy, try simple two-step ones: "Get your shoes and bring them to me."
When to seek a little extra support
Most children begin following simple commands between 12 and 24 months, but every child has their own pace. If your child rarely responds to their name, shows little understanding of everyday requests by around 18–24 months, or you simply feel something needs a closer look, a speech therapy check is a gentle, helpful next step — not a cause for worry.
The Pinnacle way
At Pinnacle Blooms Network, we turn small home moments into steady progress. Our simple command practice fits naturally into the play and language goals your therapist sets with you. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from an app or an online checklist. With 25 million+ therapy sessions and 4.95 lakh+ families supported across 70+ centres, your home practice is always backed by expert guidance.
Trusted sources
Guidance here reflects child-development milestones from the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." programme, the American Academy of Pediatrics' parenting resources, and language-development guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Next step — book a developmental assessment, or message our team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to learn simple command activities tailored to your child.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Notice whether your child responds to their name, understands familiar requests, and follows a one-step command with a gesture by around 18–24 months. If responses are rare or you feel unsure, a friendly speech and language check is a sensible next step.
In everyday life
Pick one daily moment — like tidy-up time — and use the same short command each day: "Put it in the basket." Pair the words with pointing, wait a few seconds, then cheer when they try.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
At what age should my child follow a simple command?
Most children begin following simple one-step commands, like "Give me the ball", between 12 and 24 months. Every child has their own pace, so use this as a gentle guide rather than a strict deadline.
What if my child ignores my commands?
Try saying their name first, keeping the instruction to one step, and pairing your words with a gesture or by modelling the action. Give a few quiet seconds to respond, then gently guide them and praise warmly. If responses stay rare, a speech therapy check can help.
How long should I practise each day?
Short and frequent is best. Woven into play, bath time, meals and tidy-up, a few minutes here and there throughout the day works far better than one long session.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC – Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- Source referenceASHA – Speech and Language Development
- Organisation website · further readingAAP – HealthyChildren.org
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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