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A toddler walking toward a bright chalk square on a driveway while a grown-up points to the next color.
LiteracyFollow One StepOutdoor On A Sidewalk Or Driveway

Chalk Walk.

Draw a short path of chalk squares and let your toddler walk to one named color at a time.

Play time
3-5+ min
Age
1-2 years
Energy
Medium
Mess
Low
Effort
Low
Where
Outdoor On A Sidewalk Or Driveway
Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort
2 things

What you need

  • sidewalk chalk in several colors
  • 1 sidewalk or driveway
3 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop
Step 01
Draw 4 chalk squares in 4 different colors on the sidewalk or driveway.
Step 02
Put the squares in a short line or gentle zigzag with one easy toddler step between each one.
Step 03
Stand your child at one end of the path where they can see all the squares at once.
"Find blue."
The loop

How play unfolds.

Three panels showing colored chalk squares on a driveway, a grown-up pointing to one square, and a toddler walking to the named color.
  1. 01
    Point to one square, walk to it yourself, and say, "Go to red."
  2. 02
    Let your child walk to the named color and stop there.
  3. 03
    Name the next color and repeat the same short path.
  4. 04
    If your child is still engaged, try one short two-color turn before stopping.

Safety Check

  • Stay close because the game can turn into running if your child gets excited.
  • Use the activity only on a dry surface that is not slippery.
  • Keep the path away from cars, bikes, and active driveways.
Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder
Level 1 (Start)
"Go to blue."
Level 2 (Keep going)
"Now yellow."
Level 3 (Stretch)
"Red, then green."
Level 4 (Extend)
"Take me to the last color."
If your child seems...
What you'd see
Focused
What to do
Say
"You got the right square."
Add
Name the next color only after your child stops on the first one.
Extend
Try one short two-color turn.

Make it easier

Younger end
  • -Use only 2 squares.
  • -Keep all the squares in a straight line.
  • -Let your child start already standing beside the first square.

Make it harder

Older end
  • +Give 2 colors in a row before your child starts walking.
  • +Spread the squares a little farther apart while keeping them in sight.
  • +Let your child take a turn calling the grown-up to one color.

If it's not working

If you see
If child ignores it
Walk to one square yourself with a playful "My turn to blue," then invite one easy turn.
If you see
If child misuses it
Say, "One square," point to the target, and shorten the path to 2 squares for the next round.
If you see
If child gets frustrated
Stand closer, use only 2 colors, and give just 1 simple cue at a time.
Skill spotlight
Follow One-Step

Following one spoken movement cue to a visible target

This helps the child take in one short spoken direction and turn it into a body action while moving through space with more control.

  • •Early. Your child may watch your model first, need you to point at the square, or walk part of the path beside you.
  • •Later. Your child follows one cue right away and can hold a short two-color path before you repeat it.
  • •Middle. Your child starts finding one named color, walking there, and waiting for the next cue with fewer reminders.
Real-world transfer
  • Following one simple direction during daily routines
  • Moving to a visible place after hearing a cue
  • Staying with a short movement pattern without getting lost
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Keep playing

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