Following directions is a very important skill to have no matter how old or young you are. Small babies learn to imitate at a very young age. They can often stick out their tongues in imitation as early as 6 weeks old. This is likely the first direction they will ever follow. Later they learn "NO" and "STOP" as these are very important safety directions. Later they will learn to follow one step commands, (give me your cup please) and then two step related directions (please go to the door and bring me your shoes). Eventually they will do two step unrelated directions (put your dish in the sink and kiss the dog). And so it continues until they reach school and then directions and following them become paramount.
We have been working on following written and oral directions with James over the past few nights since he is on spring break with no homework and his homework behaviorist is still coming. It has really been quite eye opening because James has been nailing the oral directions and falling down on the written ones. I think he still has a long way to go!! The three adults involved in this session reminded him over and over to read everything first but he shushed us and told us he had it. We let him run with it and follow his understanding of what he was supposed to do.
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| He actually did write his name on the back but we also got in some nice writing and math practice!! |
