Stop, Look, Listen, Go!
Following Directions Song for Kids · Suggested for preschool and kindergarten with adult support
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Stop, Look, Listen, Go! is a following-directions song for everyday home and classroom routines. Children can rehearse pausing, noticing the direction, receiving the whole message and then trying the action—or asking to hear it again.
A song for understanding directions
Mr. J’s four-word cue gives adults and children shared language for a practice routine. The verses mention shoes, pencils, backpacks and cleanup: familiar situations where a clear instruction can help a child know what to do next. The song is about classroom and home directions, not road crossing.
The lyric “Listen to the whole thing / Before you move on” invites a pause before acting. Equally important is the request “Can you tell me one more time, please?” A useful routine leaves room to ask for clarification, see a demonstration or get help. It is not a test of obedience, speed or stillness.
Try one direction after watching
Before pressing play, show a familiar object and its destination—for example, a pencil and a cup. Invite children to watch, listen, sing or use a picture cue as comfortable. When the song ends, or at a suitable pause, stop the music before giving the real instruction: “Put the pencil in the cup.” Allow time to respond.
If the direction is unclear, point to the destination, model the action or repeat the message. Notice a useful attempt, including a request for help. Practice one manageable action rather than adding a chain of jobs. The four cue words do not mean that children must remember four separate tasks.
Different ways to pay attention
Interpret “look” as noticing the person, picture, object or other useful cue—not compulsory eye contact. Some children listen while moving or looking away. Use signed, visual, tactile, written or AAC support according to the child’s needs and communication plan. Perfectly still bodies and spoken replies are not prerequisites for participating.
Use a comfortable volume, remove unnecessary background noise and allow processing time. Children may ask questions, express discomfort and seek a trusted adult’s help. This educational song does not diagnose or treat hearing, language, attention or developmental concerns.
Free teaching guides and printable cards
Start with how to teach following directions in preschool and kindergarten for the adult script and troubleshooting. Use one-step and two-step direction activities when you need examples and adaptable games.
Download the free classroom toolkit PDF for the routine strip, communication cards and observation sheet, or open the accessible printable toolkit. No signup is required.
For changing activities, pair this practice with Transition Time!. For forming a line, use Line It Up!. Each song has a different teaching purpose.
Stop, Look, Listen, Go! lyrics
Lyrics supplied by Hey! It’s Mr. J. Slashes separate lines; these are reading lyrics, not a synchronized caption track.
Intro
Hey! It’s Mr. J!
When somebody gives you a direction, / there’s four things you gotta know.
Stop. / Look. / Listen. / Go!
Let’s get it!
Chorus
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Stop what you’re doing / Now you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Hear the direction / Then show what you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
One direction / Ready, set, go!
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
That’s how we do it / Now let’s go!
Verse 1
If you hear your name / Pause what you do / Turn your attention / Let the words come through
Body gets still / Ears turn on / Listen to the whole thing / Before you move on
Maybe it’s “clean up” / Maybe “get your shoes” / Maybe “grab your pencil” / Now you know what to do
No need to rush / Take it nice and slow / Hear the whole direction / Then you’re ready to go
Pre-Chorus
First I stop / Then I look / Listen all the way
Know what to do? / Then make your move / Okay!
Chorus
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Stop what you’re doing / Now you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Hear the direction / Then show what you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
One direction / Ready, set, go!
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
That’s how we do it / Now let’s go!
Verse 2
At home / At school / Same four rules
Listen to directions / That’s what we do
Getting your backpack / Cleaning your space / Putting on your jacket / Getting ready for the day
Teacher says something / Grown-up does too / Take a little second / Let the words get through
If you didn’t hear it / That’s okay
Say, “Can you tell me / One more time, please?”
Break / Callout
Mr. J says...
STOP! / Body still.
LOOK! / Attention here.
LISTEN! / Hear it all.
GO! / Now do it!
Again!
STOP! / LOOK! / LISTEN! / GO!
Ayy!
Bridge
Don’t gotta guess / Don’t gotta know / Listen first / Then you go
Take your time / Get it right / Four little words / Keep it nice and tight
Stop / Look / Listen / Go
Four little words / And now you know
Final Chorus
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Stop what you’re doing / Now you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
Hear the direction / Then show what you know
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
At home, at school / Wherever you go
Stop! Look! Listen! Go!
You got it! / Let’s go!
Outro
Stop. / Look. / Listen. / GO!
Hey! / It’s Mr. J!