Are you looking for strategies to teach students to follow instructions? If so, keep reading.

1. Organize their surroundings to lessen free or unplanned time that is likely to contribute to the learner’s unacceptable behavior.

2. Provide visibility to and from the learner. The teacher and the learner should be able to see each other at all times. Make eye contact possible at all times.

3. Provide the learner a responsibility to be performed at the beginning of each directive.

4. Show the tasks in the most exciting and attractive manner possible.

5. Provide maximum supervision of the learner. As the learner can successfully follow instructions, slowly decrease supervision.

6. Get the learner to keep a chart representing the amount of time spent following teacher instructions, rules, regulations, expectations, etc., with reinforcement for increasing acceptable behavior.

7. Make sure you are regularly in proximity to the learner.

8. Give the learner many chances for social and academic success.

9. Give the learner positive feedback that indicates they are successful.

10. Display rules in several places (e.g., on the learner’s desk, in the hallways, etc.).

11. Make sure the learner receives the information appropriate to perform learning activities (e.g., written information, oral instructions, reminders, etc.).

12. Teach the learner directions/instructions.

13. Maintain a positive and professional relationship with the learner (e.g., an adversarial relationship is likely to result in failure to follow instructions).

14. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

15. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

17. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

18. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

19. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

20. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.