✏️ Writing & pencil control · Ages 6–7 · about 3 weeks

Writing Simple Instructions

Goal: Put a familiar task in order and write short instructions that another person can follow.

For parents: Instructions tell someone what to do. Say and act out each step before writing. Your child can dictate harder words. Choose a safe task that has no heat, sharp tools or small loose parts.

Do together

  1. Show me the steps

    You need: A few socks and a box

    Ask your child to show you how to put socks away. Agree three steps, such as find a pair, fold it and put it in the box. Draw a picture for each step and put them in order.

  2. Write for a reader

    You need: The pictures, paper and a pencil

    Help your child say a short instruction for each picture. Write together, beginning with an action word such as find, fold or put. Number the steps. Keep the pictures beside the writing so someone else can use both.

  3. Try our instructions

    You need: The instructions and socks

    Follow your child's instructions as written, without pretending to misunderstand clear wording. If a step is missing, ask what would help you. Let them add a word or picture. Read the improved instructions together.

Talk about it

  • What should the reader do first?
  • Which word tells them the action?
  • What could we add to make that step clearer?

Words to use

  • instruction
  • step
  • first
  • next
  • last
  • action
  • check

Play

  • Story Steps
    Sequencing
  • Trace It
    Pre-writing
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