Listening and Following Directions

Kindergarten · English · Study Guide

Learn how to be a good listener and follow multi-step directions.

Listening is one of the most important skills you will ever learn! Good listeners do not just hear sounds — they pay close attention, think about what they hear, and then remember it. When your teacher gives directions, you need all three of those steps to follow along correctly.

Here is how to be a great listener: first, stop what you are doing and look at the person talking. Your eyes help your ears! Next, listen all the way to the end — do not start doing things until the person has finished talking. Last, think about what you heard and picture the steps in your head before you begin.

Following directions means doing steps in the right order. If your teacher says 'first, pick up your pencil, then write your name, then put your pencil down' — you have three steps to follow. The words 'first,' 'then,' 'next,' and 'last' are clue words that tell you the order to do things.

What if you forget a direction? The best thing to do is ask politely. You can say 'Could you please repeat that?' or 'I am not sure what to do — can you help me?' Asking for help when you need it is smart, not embarrassing. Great listeners know when they need more information!

Key terms

listening: Paying close attention to what someone is saying so you can understand and remember it
directions: Instructions that tell you what to do, step by step
order words: Words like first, next, then, and last that tell you the sequence of steps

Flashcards

listening: Paying full attention to what someone says — with eyes, ears, and brain
directions: Step-by-step instructions for doing something
first: An order word that tells you what to do at the very start
next / then: Order words that tell you what comes after the first step
last / finally: Order words that tell you what to do at the very end
active listening: Listening with full attention — looking at the speaker, not doing other things

Practice questions

What should you do FIRST when someone gives you directions?
1. Start doing the task
2. Stop and look at the person talking
3. Ask a friend
4. Write it down
Show answer
Answer: Stop and look at the person talking
Looking at the speaker helps you focus and shows respect. Your eyes help your ears pay attention better.
The word 'then' is an order word that helps you know what to do next.
Show answer
Answer: True
Order words like 'first,' 'then,' 'next,' and 'last' help you know the sequence of steps to follow.
Good listeners look at the person talking and ___ carefully.
Show answer
Answer: listen
Good listeners stop what they are doing, look at the speaker, and listen carefully to every word.
If you forget a direction, what should you do?
1. Guess
2. Do nothing
3. Politely ask to have it repeated
4. Copy a friend
Show answer
Answer: Politely ask to have it repeated
Asking politely is the smart and brave choice. Guessing often leads to mistakes; asking ensures you do it right.
You should start a task before the person is done giving directions.
Show answer
Answer: False
You should always wait until the person has finished giving all the directions before you start — otherwise you might miss an important step.

Fun facts

Studies show that people only remember about 25% of what they hear — which is why practicing active listening is so important!
Babies start learning language just by listening — long before they can talk or read, they are listening and storing words in their brains.

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