One Everyday Therapy Activity for Instruction Recall

A child who can hold onto your words long enough to act on them is building one of the brain's most useful tools — working memory.

In short

Try the "Two-Step Treasure Hunt": give your child two simple instructions in a row — "Pick up the red ball, then put it in the basket" — and let them carry both out. Start with one step, build to two and then three as they succeed. Just five to ten playful minutes a day strengthens the working memory that instruction recall depends on.

The everyday activity, step by step

1. Begin with one clear instruction your child already manages — "Bring me your shoes." Celebrate the win. 2. Add a second step once they're confident — "Bring your shoes, then sit on the mat." Say it once, slowly, then pause. 3. Let them repeat it back to you in their own words. Saying it aloud helps the brain hold it. 4. Make it a game — a treasure hunt, a tidy-up race, a cooking helper. Joy keeps the brain engaged. 5. Praise the effort, not just the result: "You remembered both parts — well done!"

Keep instructions short, use simple words, and reduce background noise so your child can focus.

The science

Following multi-step instructions draws on working memory — the brain's short-term "holding tray" for information while we act on it (ICF d1, learning and applying knowledge). Like a muscle, it grows stronger with regular, lightly challenging practice. Building from one step to two to three keeps the task just hard enough to stretch without frustrating — the sweet spot for learning.

The Pinnacle way

A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — this home activity supports development but does not assess or diagnose. To go deeper, explore instruction recall and our special education support.

Trusted sources

Guided by WHO ICF domains for learning and applying knowledge, and CDC and AAP guidance on supporting early cognitive and language development through everyday play.

Next step — play the Two-Step Treasure Hunt once a day this week, and message our team on WhatsApp for a friendly developmental check.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.