Easy Games to Teach Children to Follow Instructions

Teach listening using games.

Listening comprehension is the ability to understand and follow instructions. Being able to effectively listen and follow directions is an important skill utilized throughout life. Academics, for example, are built on these concepts. If children cannot follow instructions on a test, chances are they will not do well on it. Therefore, students need to be taught these skills early. Some of the most effective ways to teach to young children is through games that enhance their abilities to follow instructions.

Wubbzy Gardening

Follow instructions to grow a garden.

Children can learn listening skills by playing an online Nick Jr. game called Wubbzy Gardening. Players must follow instructions to care for their virtual gardens through watering, planting and picking flowers. Children will further enhance and practice their ability to follow one-step instructions, while learning reading and science concepts. They will learn about light source and how it relates to plant life, as well as learn about animal adaptations and survival in different environments.

Simon Says

Simon says touch your hair.

Introduce the class to the game Simon Says. Pick one student to be Simon or make yourself Simon. Have Simon call out commands to the class, such as "touch your toes." Instruct the class to only follow the commands that begin with "Simon says" or else they will be out of the game. The last student remaining in the game is the next Simon. This simple game is an effective method for teaching listening skills. It also provides a "learning break" for the students, especially if you find them losing focus in class.

Board Games

Checkers involves explicit directions.

Help students to learn and practice following instructions with board games. Most board games have explicit directions on how to play. Incorporate age appropriate games into the classroom, such as "Chutes and Ladders" or "Checkers." Many board games can also enhance academics, such as "Memory" and "Hi Ho! Cherry-O." Set aside class time for students to interact with one another and learn listening comprehension by playing board games. Provide the winners with small prizes or stickers.

Look Who's Listening

Listen to learn.

The Look Who's Listening game is an effective method for teaching students to listen and follow directions. The game consists of a game board, die, 24 auditory processing cards and foam tokens. The cards include memory, integration and discrimination directives. The student is instructed to pick a card, read it aloud and follow the directions. Then he rolls the die and places a token on the game board in the correct space. The student with the most tokens wins the game.

References

• Zoodles: Wubbzy Gardening
• Primary Games: Simon Says
• Look Who's Listening

Resources

• EL Games: Un-Game
• Listening Skills Games