03/19/2026
If your kindergartner-to-be struggles with following directions, you’re not alone — and there’s so much you can do between now and September. 👇
Start with these strategies:
👀 Get eye contact first. Before you give a direction, get down to their level and make sure they’re tuned in. If they’re not with you, they won’t hear you.
⏳ Give them time to process. Kids this age need a few extra seconds to respond. Wait before you repeat yourself — silence isn’t a bad sign.
🎮 Make it a game. Simon Says, freeze dance, and follow-the-leader aren’t just fun — they’re practicing the exact skill of listening and responding to directions.
✅ Narrate what they did right. “You heard me and put your backpack by the door — great listening!” Calling it out reinforces the behavior you want more of.
🔁 Keep directions positive. Say what you want them to do, not what you don’t. “Walk please” lands better than “stop running.”
🤝 Practice during low-stakes moments. Build the skill when no one’s rushing. The more they practice following directions in calm moments, the easier it becomes when it counts.
Following directions is a skill — and like any skill, it gets stronger with practice! Start now, and your child will walk into kindergarten ready. 💪
