All Activities
Maths

Follow Instructions with Numbers

Overview

Children listen carefully and act based on number instructions.

Learning Objective
Children follow instructions involving numbers.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Give an instruction (e.g. 'Take 3 steps').
  2. 2 Children complete the action.
  3. 3 Count together.
  4. 4 Repeat with different instructions.
  5. 5 Let children give instructions.
  6. 6 Check accuracy.
  7. 7 Encourage listening.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use multiple-step instructions
  • Use different actions
  • Add simple challenges
More information

Listening comprehension and number understanding develop together here. Keep instructions simple and clear.

Demonstrate each instruction before asking children to follow independently.

Do children act on the correct number? Can they give clear instructions themselves?

Open space and voices are the only resources. Actions can be performed anywhere with no materials.

Children sometimes perform an action the right number of times but count incorrectly because they start counting before the first action begins. Model starting the count at the moment the first action happens.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 10–15 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Counting Listening