WHAT IS SEQUENCING?
Sequencing is a method of breaking down an event or an idea into a number of steps. These steps are then arranged in a particular order so that the child would be able to learn and describe an event easily in an orderly way. Using the sequential method we can also help the child to learn a task, for example brushing teeth, which has to be done in a sequential manner. By learning each step of the task using pictures, the child would be able to learn and perform any task confidently and perfectly.
Sequencing can also be referred to as “What happens/comes next?”
Let’s see in detail how to teach this sequencing skill.
THINGS REQUIRED TO TEACH SEQUENCING SKILL:
- Flashcards
- Storybooks (look for the books which contain more and clear pictures and fewer words)
- Wall posters (which can be made manually depending on the task the child has to learn and perform)
- Worksheets (also available online for download)
- Beads in different colors and shapes
TIPS TO TEACH SEQUENCING:
- Use pictures at the initial stage because children would be able to learn the concept quickly and easily from pictures than from words.
- Concisely explain the event/task.
- Start from a simple and clear picture which has 2 steps that explain an event in one direction only
For instance,
1.) Describing before and after.
2.) What comes next?
Then, gradually improve the task which has up to 3 steps.
For example,
1.) Drinking water
2.) Blowing Balloon
- Next, move on to the 4 step task and so on.
- While teaching a task that has more than 4 steps, it would be effective to use numbers under each step/picture so that the child would remember better by following the number sequence.
- After that, when the child masters the skill, include monosyllable or bi-syllable words or simple sentences related to the picture depending on the child’s age-appropriate cognitive development. For example, planting
- To make the activity complex, jumble up the picture cards and ask the child to re-arrange in an orderly or sequential manner. While doing so, remember not to include numbers anywhere in the picture for this particular activity. (Otherwise, the child would arrange the pictures by following the number sequence and not by the concept.)
- The sequencing can also be taught using beads.
- Initially, two colors are used, for example, red and yellow. Ask the child to string the red bead first followed by the yellow bead and ask the child to continue stringing beads in a red-yellow sequence manner.
- Next, introduce the third color, in this instance, red-yellow-blue and ask the child to string beads in the mentioned sequential way.
- Gradually include fourth color and so on.
- Likewise, using the shape beads, a sequencing concept can be taught.
- Teaching sequence might be challenging for parents and for the child to learn as well, but a consistent practice in a fun and interesting way would help to achieve the set goals.
Don’t forget to download and learn from the worksheets.
