Sequencing is the process of putting events, ideas, and objects in a logical order and is part of the curriculum for reading, writing and math but crosses over into other curriculum areas as well. While reading a story together we often stop and discuss what happened, what preceded the event and predict what might happen next. The ability to sequence events in a text is a key comprehension strategy, especially for narrative texts. We write our own stories or retell known stories using beginning, middle and end and knowing the right words to convey sequential, chronological, or time order makes a better story. Sequencing in math is useful for patterning and problem solving. In Social Studies, understanding order helps children with timelines. In our daily lives, sequencing helps us follow a recipe so our food tastes good, or follow directions so we can build or put something together.
Why is sequencing important? We sequence all day long—we divide our time into what we need to do first, second, and last; we understand events in our lives by understanding the order in which they occur. For some children, sequencing can be a hard concept to grasp, especially when they are trying to tell a story. Using good key words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally,” cue children as to what is coming next.
We have countless opportunities throughout the day to encourage children to think sequentially. In the car on the way home, ask, “Which way will I turn at the stop sign?” At home ask, “Now, what will I do with these dirty dishes?” “Tell me what happened at school today,” or “Before you go outside in the cold, what do you need to do?” The list is unending. Sequencing is an important skill in pre-reading, comprehension, and writing, as well as other areas of Kindergarten curriculum.
Why is sequencing important? We sequence all day long—we divide our time into what we need to do first, second, and last; we understand events in our lives by understanding the order in which they occur. For some children, sequencing can be a hard concept to grasp, especially when they are trying to tell a story. Using good key words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally,” cue children as to what is coming next.
We have countless opportunities throughout the day to encourage children to think sequentially. In the car on the way home, ask, “Which way will I turn at the stop sign?” At home ask, “Now, what will I do with these dirty dishes?” “Tell me what happened at school today,” or “Before you go outside in the cold, what do you need to do?” The list is unending. Sequencing is an important skill in pre-reading, comprehension, and writing, as well as other areas of Kindergarten curriculum.
