Why Is My Child Not Following Instructions in the Classroom?
Does your child find it difficult to follow instructions, even when they seem simple? Perhaps you ask them to collect their books, complete their homework or get ready for school, but they forget what you said or only complete part of the task.
For some children, following instructions is not simply a matter of paying attention or listening. They may have difficulty processing, remembering and organising information.
These skills are important for learning, following instructions and completing everyday activities.
The good news is that children can improve their ability to follow instructions with the right support, guidance and practice.
Why Do Some Children Struggle to Follow Instructions?
Following instructions requires children to listen carefully, understand what is being said, remember the information and carry out each step in the correct order.
For example, imagine a teacher asking a child:
“Take out your Geography book, turn to page 45, read the passage and answer questions 2, 3 and 4 on page 47.”
This may sound like a straightforward request. However, a child who struggles with working memory, attention or listening skills may find it difficult to remember all the steps.
They might take out the wrong book, forget the page number or complete only the first part of the task.
Children with dyslexia or auditory processing difficulties may also struggle to process, understand and remember spoken information. This can make following instructions frustrating, both at school and at home.
It does not mean they are lazy or deliberately ignoring what they have been told. They may simply need additional support to develop the skills that make listening, understanding and learning easier.
5 Practical Ways Parents Can Help
Parents can make everyday activities easier by using simple strategies to help children follow instructions:
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- Give one instruction at a time: Break longer requests into smaller steps instead of giving several instructions at once.
- Ask your child to repeat the instruction: This helps you check whether they have understood and remembered what to do.
- Use visual reminders: Write down tasks or use pictures and simple checklists to help your child remember each step.
- Reduce background distractions: Turn off the television and encourage your child to focus before giving an instruction.
- Practise through games: Play Simon Says, follow-the-leader or simple sequencing games to develop listening, attention and memory.
Remember to praise your child’s efforts, not just whether they complete the task correctly. Patience and regular practice can help build confidence and independence.
If your child continues to struggle, consider whether they may need additional support with working memory, attention, language processing or auditory processing skills.
You can learn more about the signs of dyslexia in primary school children, including difficulties with following instructions, concentration and memory
Why Is Following Instructions So Difficult for Some Children?
Following Instructions requires children to listen, understand, remember information and complete tasks in the correct order.
Some children may hear instructions but struggle to process or remember them. Children with dyslexia, auditory processing difficulties or weak working memory may find this particularly challenging. This does not necessarily mean they are being careless or disobedient; they may need additional support.
What Are the Signs That Your Child Is Struggling?
Look out for these common signs:
- Frequently asking you to repeat instructions.
- Forgetting what they have just been told.
- Completing only the first part of a task.
- Becoming confused by multiple instructions.
The Connection Between Working Memory and Following Instructions
Working memory helps children hold information in their minds while completing a task.
For example, asking your child to collect their shoes, pack their books and bring their water bottle requires them to remember several instructions.
A child with weak working memory may complete the first task but forget the others. Strengthening working memory, attention and sequencing can help children manage information more effectively, both at school and at home.
How Can Parents Encourage Better Listening at Home?
Parents can help children practise following instructions through simple everyday activities. Try giving two or three instructions at a time, playing games such as Simon Says, or asking your child to remember a sequence of actions.
Praise their efforts and progress to build confidence. Be patient, as developing better listening and memory skills takes time and practice.
Practical Ways to Help Your Child Improve Their Ability to Follow Instructions
The good news is that there are practical ways to help your child improve their listening and memory skills and become more confident when following instructions.
1. Give short and clear instructions
Avoid giving too many instructions at once. Start with one or two steps and gradually increase the number as your child becomes more confident in following instructions.
2. Ask your child to repeat instructions
After giving an instruction, ask your child to explain what they need to do. This helps you check whether they have understood and remembered the information before following instructions independently.
3. Break tasks into smaller steps
Instead of asking your child to complete several activities at once, divide the task into manageable steps. This makes following instructions easier and less overwhelming.
4. Reduce distractions
Switch off the television and reduce background noise when giving important instructions. A quieter environment can help your child concentrate on what you are saying.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) also provides guidance on supporting children who experience listening difficulties. Its recommendations include reducing background noise, repeating instructions and using visual support.
5. Practise sequencing activities
Play games that involve remembering and following a sequence. For example, ask your child to clap twice, touch their head and then jump. Gradually increase the number of steps to strengthen the skills needed for following instructions.
6. Strengthen underlying cognitive skills
Children need working memory, attention, processing speed and sequencing skills to listen, understand and act on information. Activities that exercise these abilities can support your child’s ability to follow instructions, improve learning and build confidence.
The Good News: Listening and Processing Skills Can Improve
The brain has the ability to change and develop through experience and practice. This is known as neuroplasticity.
With appropriate activities and consistent support, children can strengthen the cognitive skills involved in listening, remembering and understanding information.
Rather than focusing only on getting your child to pay attention, it is important to consider the underlying skills that make attention and listening possible.
This is where evidence-based learning programmes can make a difference.
The Solution: Fast ForWord and Space Commander
At Neuron Learning, we recognise that children need more than academic knowledge to become successful learners. They also need the cognitive skills that help them listen, process information, remember and understand.
Fast ForWord is an evidence-based, personalised learning programme that uses adaptive activities to support the development of language and reading skills.
Its activities give children opportunities to practise skills such as attention, processing, working memory and sequencing.
Discover Space Commander
One of the engaging activities in Fast ForWord Foundation 1 is Space Commander.
In this activity, children become space pilots and complete missions by listening carefully and responding to spoken instructions.
As they play, they practise listening accuracy, attention, working memory and the ability to remember and carry out instructions in the correct order.
The activity makes practice engaging while helping children develop skills that support learning.
Help Your Child Become a More Confident Learner
If your child regularly forgets instructions, struggles to complete tasks or needs you to repeat everything several times, it may be worth looking beyond behaviour and considering their underlying learning skills.
Every child learns differently. With the right support, children can develop the skills they need to become more confident and independent learners.
See It in Action—Watch the Demo
This exercise develops your child’s ability to listen accurately and efficiently, following instructions, and paying attention.