Sequencing activities provide learners with items and clues and ask them to order those items in the correct order. Creating these activities for young learners is an excellent way to reinforce specific skills such as matching, ordering numbers, recalling steps in a process, and sequencing events.
However, finding sequencing activities that are appropriate for young learners can be challenging. Some activities are more suitable for older students or students with more advanced cognitive abilities. Some activities are more difficult than others, which may make them inappropriate for the intended age level of the learner.
At Baby Steps Daycare, we understand what’s best for your child. So we have compiled a list of sequencing activities you can integrate into your child’s daily routine, making it easier for you to provide the best teaching environment for your little learner.
This article introduces five sequencing activities that are easy to prepare and fun for kids to take part in. You can use these activities in your child’s classroom or at home. But before you dive into the activities, let’s first know what sequencing is? Why is it important to learn? And How can you teach your kids sequencing skills?
What is Sequencing?
Sequencing is the process where children follow a set of steps in order from beginning to end. They can be physical or verbal. In some cases, they may imply specific numbers of steps that must occur. It’s easy to think about sequencing as a formula or recipe that you follow systematically from beginning to end.
Why Is It Important to Learn Sequencing?
There are many reasons why you need to teach kids about sequencing. The lists below are some of the most important ones.
1. Sequencing is a key skill in all academic areas
Sequencing is the main way children learn new skills and knowledge, whether you are talking about English or Math.
2. Sequencing helps kids understand cause and effect
When you present a problem or activity for children, they must follow the steps that lead to the desired result. Children can easily understand that an appropriate response has specific consequences, such as “If I don’t wear my coat today, I’ll get sick.” In addition, they can learn how actions can affect other objects or people in their environment. If you want to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, sequencing is key!
3. Sequencing is a tool to teach kids to follow directions
When you give kids directions, what is the first thing they do? They read the directions, of course! This process shows them how to follow a series of steps. When you present the steps of an activity in order, you are providing children with more than just a list of actions; you give them the tools to understand how to use their knowledge and skills to succeed in new situations.
4. Sequencing is essential to help kids build confidence
Sequencing activities allow children to practice new skills and knowledge. In addition, it teaches them that there are predictable steps that they can follow. If children can easily follow sequences of actions, they will be more confident about the new activities you introduce into their world.
5. Sequencing promotes excellent organization skills
Sequencing helps children learn to get organized and follow directions. Children must learn that they can only accomplish the goals they set for themselves by following a set of instructions and doing their tasks in order. Thus, sequencing is an excellent way for children to develop organization and time management skills.
How to Teach Your Kids Sequencing Skills?
There are many ways for parents to ensure that their children are using sequencing skills effectively. The best way is to involve the whole family in the process of teaching sequencing. You can do this by acting as a teacher, taking turns with your children to show them how to follow a series of steps, or you can play games that teach children about sequencing.
You can also talk with your child about any sequences you have experienced in your own lives, read books with children about sequencing, and play guessing games to practice sequences.
And because children learn by doing, you can also introduce them to different activities to boost their sequencing skills. However, finding those activities that are fun and that kids enjoy doing can be a challenge. As a trusted preschool provider in Forest Hills, New York, we prioritize providing children with the lesson and activities they need to develop their skills and well-being. So, we know exactly what activities are great for your child.
5 Easy to Prepare Sequencing Activities for Young Learners
1. Sequencing Numbers
Using 1-2-3 Touch and Flip Cards, you can help children practice sequencing numbers. Another learning material you can use in teaching kids sequencing is by using Tag Bags. Tag Bag features fastener options like buckles and zippers together with numbers. It is used to boost early math skills such as sorting and matching and develop fine motor skills. Challenge your kid to open Tag Bags until he finds all numbers from one to ten, and ask him to line them up in the correct order. You can also ask him to count the dots to practice number recognition.
2. Sequencing the Events in a Story with Pictures
It is one of the most engaging sequencing activities to teach your kid about the sequencing concepts. In this easy-to-prepare activity, you will help your kid tell stories with a beginning, middle, and end. Line It Up is one of the excellent sequencing activities that comes with a set of Story Cards, like the life cycle of butterflies and the process of how pumpkins grow. Your kid needs to sequence the picture card in its correct order and retell the whole story. It is one of the best daily activities for your child.
3. Play with Dominoes
If you have dominoes available in your storeroom, get that and use them for this activity. Pick dominoes that come with a surface with dotted patterns. Ask your kid to arrange in a decreasing or increasing order to develop your kid’s sequencing skills. It becomes more effective if you incorporate this activity into his daily life.
4. Follow a Recipe
The kitchen is also a place to nurture your child’s sequencing skills. And have your kid follow the steps of a recipe to prepare an easy meal for lunch and dinner. You can also provide him with picture instructions if needed. For this activity to be effective, it is ideal for providing modeling before your child completes the task independently. This activity provides your kid with the hands-on learning he needs to grasp the sequencing concepts as well as develops his literacy skills for reading the recipes.
5. Playing with Cards
Play a game called Parliament with your kids, so four players will do. To play this game, distribute the equal number of cards to each player, then decide a middle number to begin the game, let’s say number 7. All players that carry number seven must put it on the table. Other players start creating a series in decreasing and increasing order, which means on the right side, the players have to arrange the numbers 8,9,10, till king. Same as on the left side, number 7 is expanded by gathering numbers 6,5,4, and so on. A fun math activity to enjoy with the whole family.
Sequencing is the act of arranging items in an order. And to sequence effectively, kids need to practice it daily. Therefore, you must introduce sequences into your child’s life with an easy-to-prepare method. With the right techniques and relevant activities for your child, you will easily incorporate sequencing skills into your kid’s brain. It will help him build the essential foundations for his future education.
