Boost Listening Skills This Summer with Fun Following Direction Activities
It’s summertime, but that doesn’t mean language goals take a vacation! Whether you're an SLP working during ESY (Extended School Year), a special education teacher planning summer centers, or simply looking for low-prep activities to maintain progress, working on following directions remains a vital skill.
And let’s be real—getting students to focus in the summer can feel like herding beach balls in a windstorm.
That’s where this fun, hands-on Following Directions Freebie comes in. Designed with summer themes, this engaging printable resource helps children practice listening, sequencing, and auditory comprehension—all while cutting, pasting, and coloring. Let’s dive into why this simple tool packs such a powerful punch.
Why Following Directions Matter in Language Development
Building up to multi-step directions is more than just a school-readiness skill—it supports a child’s ability to:
Process auditory information accurately
Hold and sequence information in working memory
Respond to cues and instructions in real-time
Develop executive functioning and self-regulation
These skills are foundational not just in therapy sessions but across classroom settings, social interactions, and daily routines.
The Power of Thematic Learning
Kids engage best when the content is relatable and fun. The "Summer Following Directions" freebie is filled with scenes of:
Beach play
Ocean animals
Bubbles and sunshine
Summer snacks
This thematic context not only adds excitement, it provides visual supports that anchor comprehension.
Pro tip: Use seasonal themes to build connections across lessons (books, gross motor games, sensory bins).
Pairing Listening with Movement: A Multi-sensory Approach
When students are asked to listen, draw, and color, they activate multiple learning pathways. This approach reinforces retention and boosts engagement.
Examples from the freebie include:
"Draw a hat on the doughnut, then color it green."
"Color the shark gray, then color the clouds gray."
That combination of language processing + motor activity = magic.
it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Scaffolding Tips for Different Learners
This activity is flexible enough to support a variety of student needs:
Use visuals or AAC support for nonverbal or emerging communicators
Repeat and model the instructions for students needing repetition
Break directions into smaller chunks if needed
Let peers help model for group sessions
Try This Summer-Themed Activity in Your Sessions
One of my go-to printable this season is the "Summer Following Directions" freebie. I used it last week in a mixed group, and every student found success at their own level. One of my students even exclaimed, "This is like a secret coloring puzzle!"
This resource works great for:
SLP sessions targeting auditory comprehension
Special Ed classrooms working on IEP goals
Centers or independent work with paraprofessional support
At-home carryover practice
What About You?
How do you keep direction-following skills sharp during the summer slump? I’d love to hear your favorite activities!
Ready to give it a try? Download your free Summer Following Directions pack and bring some sunny structure to your summer lessons.
Let your students cut, paste, color, and grow!
Quick Tips Recap:
Combine listening with movement to boost comprehension
Use seasonal visuals to increase engagement
Scaffold with visuals, repetition, and peer support
This summer, build communication one direction at a time!
