The teacher should have in mind the grammatical rules for the position of the verb in the sentence, to give the child a clear idea of its normal location before the direct object: "first the verb, then the object upon which it acts."
Example:
Smooth the white paper.
The verb should, for the first permutation, be transferred to the end:
the white paper smooth.
Or, if you wish,
Arrange the brown cards.
the brown cards arrange.
When the verb is taken away entirely the action vanishes:
Lift the red counter.
Drop
the red counter.