Sequencing is an important readiness skill that provides a foundation for both reading development and scientific inquiry. This concept helps children learn to recognize patterns that make their world more understandable and predictable. If you want to prepare your young learners with the tools they need to solve problems, complete daily routines, and develop comprehension skills, read on for some fun and easy ways to encourage development of this foundational skill.
What is Sequencing?
Sequencing is the ability to arrange language, thoughts, information, and actions in a certain order. The ability to sequence depends heavily on the development of executive functioning skills like attention, organization, planning, and working memory. Without successful sequencing skills, it’s difficult to follow instructions, speak properly, complete multi-step tasks, and solve problems.
Why is Sequencing important for kids?
Sequencing leads to success with so many daily activities! When children are able to use sequencing skills successfully, they can do the following:
Recognize patterns
Make predictions
Put a series of objects or events in a logical order
Understand transition words like first, next, and last
Know the elements of a story like beginning, middle, and end
Comprehend stories
Retell stories and past events
Put words and sounds together in the correct order to communicate
Follow daily routines at home and school
Approach an unfamiliar task in a logical manner
Know when a task is completed
Children with executive functioning issues often have a hard time sequenceing.
Here are Some Engaging Sequencing Activities for Children
Your young learners are already developing sequencing skills as they follow familiar routines such as first eating lunch, then playing outside or when they complete a daily bedtime routine of bath, toothbrushing, story, and lights out It’s easy to incorporate more sequencing practice throughout the day. Use sequencing words (such as first, then, next, last) often in your everyday questions and conversations with children. When they show you their Lego or block creation, ask them to describe how they made it. Discuss the sequence of events after reading a story. Encourage children to learn simple chores, like setting the table, and engage them in functional sequencing tasks like cooking.
Children also need structured opportunities to practice sequencing skills.
Sequence a story with pictures
Help children understand the sequencing concept of first, next, and last with story pictures with story cards.
Following a Recipe
Recipes are a great way to teach sequencing and ordering.
For young children, write out a basic recipe on a sheet of paper or whiteboard and cross off the steps as you follow them.
Daily Routine
Discuss the daily routine with small kids, whether at home or school. Write out the main activities for the day and get your child to draw pictures for each activity and then decorate the poster to display.
Here’s a simple schedule for home
• Wake up
Get Ready
School
Lunch
Playtime
TV time
Dinner
Bath
Bedtime Story
Sleep
Story Time
Tell stories such as The Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
These kinds of stories teach kids about sequences and must be told in a specific order. Get children to recount them in order.
Following Instructions
Using a whiteboard or any large surface, display a sequence of instructions for your child, using simple illustrations.
For example, draw the following simple pictures to represent these instructions:
An apple – finish your snack
A bookshelf – tidy your books in your room and place them neatly on the shelf
A tree – then you can play outside in the garden
When your child can follow one step instructions then give 2 step instructions. Explain the instructions thoroughly so your child learns to associate the symbols with the instructions. Giving your child 2-step directions orally, and later multi-step directions, will help build their concept of the order of events.
I hope this helps. If your child is struggling with reading comprehension or math double check their sequencing skills. If you need help assessing skills please reach out to me. iepsaremyjam@gmail.com
We must teach in a sequential order so our kiddos can learn. Sequencing is a big step in learning and it has to be taught.
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