Instructions tell you what to do — Language, 4–6
Instructions use clear words to guide an action, often in a particular order. You meet them in games, recipes, crafts and everyday routines.
Instructions are a path for an action
An instruction tells you an action to do, such as put, cut, mix, open or wait. Several instructions can make a path from the beginning to the end. The order matters: “put on your coat, then take your bag” is not the same as doing it backwards.
Why instructions need clear steps
A job can go wrong when people do not know what to do first, or when a word leaves too many choices. Instructions grew from the need to share a task with someone who cannot see your plan. Clear steps let another person try the same job without guessing every part.
Making a paper boat
Here is a four-step instruction: 1. Fold a rectangular sheet in half. 2. Fold the top corners towards the middle. 3. Fold the bottom flaps up on both sides. 4. Pull the middle apart and flatten it. Each step changes the paper, so doing step 4 first would not work.
A picture is not always enough
You might look at a picture of a finished toy and start copying it, because the picture shows what you are aiming for. That is a sensible start, but it may hide the order of the steps or the tricky part. Read or hear each instruction, then check what has changed before doing the next one.
Instructions in everyday life
You use instructions when you build with blocks, play a board game, wash your hands or help make food. You can also give instructions to a friend: say one action at a time and use words like first, next and last. This helps your friend follow your plan.
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