Why Some Children Struggle to Follow Directions (and What You Can Do About It)
Have you ever given clear directions to your class, only to have a few students stare blankly or start an entirely different task? You’re not alone. For many children, especially those with language or learning differences, following directions isn’t about not listening, it’s about challenges in executive function skills like working memory, attention, and self-monitoring.
Understanding the Skills Behind Following Directions
Working memory is the mental “sticky note” that helps kids hold onto information long enough to use it. When you say, “Take out your math notebook, turn to page 42, and circle the even numbers,” a child with weak working memory might only catch “math notebook” and miss the rest.
Attention helps students notice what’s important and tune out distractions. For a child who struggles with attention, your voice might be competing with the sound of pencils tapping, chairs moving, or their own thoughts.
Self-monitoring is the ability to check in with oneself: “Did I do that right?” or “Does this make sense?” Without this skill, students may not realize they missed a step or made a mistake until it’s pointed out by someone else.
When these areas are underdeveloped, students often rely heavily on adult prompts or repeat reminders, what we call prompt dependence. They might look to the teacher for reassurance (“Is this right?”) instead of trusting their own problem-solving process.
How It Impacts Comprehension
These same executive function skills affect listening and reading comprehension. To understand a story or set of directions, students need to:
Hold information in mind (working memory).
Stay focused on key details (attention).
Monitor understanding and repair breakdowns (“Wait, who is talking now?”).
If any of these skills lag behind, comprehension can break down quickly. That’s why some students can “read” fluently but struggle to tell you what the passage meant.
What Teachers Can Do: Building Self-Talk and Independence
The good news? Executive function skills can be taught and strengthened just like reading or math. Here are some practical ways to help:
1. Model self-talk
Use “think-alouds” to show how you monitor your own thinking:
“Hmm, I’m not sure what this question is asking. I’ll read it again slowly.”
“I made a mistake, let me check my work.”
When students hear you use self-talk, they begin to adopt similar strategies internally.
2. Teach students to pause and plan
Before starting a task, ask:
“What’s the first thing you need to do?”
“How will you know when you’re done?”
This helps students learn to visualize the steps and mentally organize before jumping in.
3. Build in check-ins
Instead of constantly prompting, teach students to self-monitor:
Use visual cue cards that say “Check my work” or “Did I follow all the steps?”
Have them highlight or number each direction on a worksheet as they complete it.
4. Encourage self-advocacy
Role-play how to ask for help effectively:
“I’m not sure what to do next—can you repeat step two?”
“Can you tell me if I’m on the right track?”
Normalize that even good learners need clarification sometimes.
5. Simplify and scaffold directions
Give one or two directions at a time.
Pair verbal directions with visuals or written checklists.
Use consistent routines so students can anticipate the sequence of tasks.
Final Thought
When we understand that following directions is not always about motivation, but about underlying executive function skills, we shift from frustration to empathy. Supporting self-monitoring, working memory, and attention doesn’t just help students follow directions better; it builds lifelong skills for problem-solving, independence, and self-confidence.
By nurturing students’ inner voice, their ability to self-talk, check their own work, and ask for help, we’re giving them tools to thrive long after they leave our classroom.
Want to Learn More?
Speech-language pathologists can be a great resource for strategies that strengthen executive function and language comprehension. Collaboration between teachers and SLPs can make a powerful difference for students who need a little extra support.