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What's the problem?

The kids are on a spaceship, heading for adventure. Suddenly the engine of the spaceship shuts down. What will they do?

They soon discover that by listening carefully to step by step instructions, and carrying them out, they can fix the problem.

Instructions are all around us

Instructions help us to get things done by taking small steps in the right order.

In school, your teacher may give you instructions on how to play a game in PE.When you play with your friends, they may give you instructions to help you join in with their game.

You will also hear instructions when you are not in school. In a supermarket, the shop assistant will tell you where you can find things. At the airport, the flight attendant will tell you when your flight is ready and where you need to go before getting on the aeroplane.

When you are at home, you might be given instructions about how to tidy your bedroom, how to set the table or where to put your toys.

Have you ever listened to instructions about how to make buns or bake a cake? It’s important to listen to these instructions and do them in the right order. If you don’t, your buns or cake might not taste very good!

Instructions help us to stay safe

When you are learning to swim, your instructor will tell you how to play safely in the water.

In school, your teacher will tell you what to do when the fire alarm rings.

If you play a sport, your coach will tell you how to play the game safely.

It’s important to listen carefully to these instructions and carry them out.

That way you’ll keep yourself safe, and others too.

Remember to concentrate

When you hear instructions, concentrate on what is being said.

When you concentrate your brain is better at sorting out information.

To help you concentrate, stop doing other things and focus on what is being said.

When you do this, your brain can store the information you have heard.

If instructions are given by a person, you should try and look at the person as they speak to you.

This lets the person know that you are concentrating.

Ask for help

Sometimes you might find it difficult to understand and follow instructions.

Don’t worry, adults struggle with this too!

If you are uncertain, ask the other person to repeat what they said.

Sometimes instructions are from a computer.

If so, replay the instructions or see if you can slow them down. This will help you to understand.

Practice makes perfect

As you get older, instructions can become more complicated.

That’s why you need lots of practice listening to them and carrying them out.

The kids in the story found out that they had to listen carefully to solve a problem.

Will they know what to do if they ever have that problem again?