Following 3-Step Directions

Help Students Master Multistep Directions with Engaging Activities

If you’re a special education teacher or early elementary educator, you know how tricky following multistep directions can be for young learners. That’s why I created the Following 3-Step Directions Activity Bundle resource. This is a  hands-on, low-prep bundle filled with fun and functional activities to help students build this essential skill in a playful and meaningful way.

🧠 Why Practice 3-Step Directions?

Following multistep directions isn’t just about listening—it’s a vital executive functioning skill that supports independence, classroom participation, and academic success. Whether it’s transitioning between tasks, navigating a classroom routine, or completing a multi-part assignment, students benefit from explicit and repeated practice in understanding and sequencing directions.

This resource is designed to make that practice enjoyable, accessible, and effective.

🎉 What’s Included?

This resource includes 8 different activities, all centered around practicing and mastering 3-step directions. Here’s a peek at what’s inside:

🎨 1. Directed Drawings

Students follow 3-step drawing instructions to create fun images like a cat face, flower, or penguin—great for listening comprehension and fine motor skills.

🎤 2. Simon Says

A classic with a twist! These 3-step command prompts make it even more interactive and challenging—plus, you can scaffold with visuals or slow the pace.

🕵️‍♀️ 3. Scavenger Hunt

Turn your classroom or school into an adventure zone as students follow multi-step clues to find hidden surprises.

🎲 4. Roll and Follow

Roll the dice and follow the 3-step combo of physical actions—perfect for movement breaks or small group warm-ups.

🎶 5. Musical Movement

Play music and call out 3-step directions while students move to the beat. When the music stops—they freeze! It’s fun, active, and great for kinesthetic learners.

🧩 6. Task Card Challenge

Simple, printable task cards for independent or partner work, reinforcing 3-step processing in a variety of ways.

🧱 7. Build-It Challenge

Use blocks, Legos, or classroom materials to follow build-and-create prompts. Students can also give directions to each other, building communication and collaboration.

✏️ 8. Following Directions Worksheets

No-prep, print-and-go worksheets themed around farms, beaches, city maps, and more. These make great morning work, centers, or independent practice!

🛠️ How to Use It

This resource was designed with flexibility in mind, you can use it for:

• Whole group lessons

• Small group instruction

• One-on-one support

• Movement or brain breaks

• Sub plans

• Speech-language therapy sessions

• Morning work or early finisher bins
  
  

It’s perfect for preschool through 2nd grade, and especially helpful for students working on language processing, executive functioning, and listening comprehension skills.

📥 Grab Your Copy

Ready to help your students become direction-following pros?

👉 Click here to download the Following 3-Step Directions resource on TpT
(Click Here)

And don’t forget to check out my other fun and functional classroom tools—like these UFLI-aligned resources.

Let me know how you use this resource in your classroom—I love hearing from fellow educators! 💌
You can reach me anytime at resourceroomchick@gmail.com or find me on Instagram @resourceroomchick.

Happy teaching!

— The Resource Room Chick 🐥