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Step by Step: Building Sequencing Skills
From peek-a-boo to school projects, sequencing helps kids put life in order.
Eliana Savitsky
September 19, 2025
✨ Hey there!
Sequencing is one of those hidden skills we often take for granted—until we realize our little ones are struggling to follow steps, recall routines, or tell a story in order.
From babies learning “what comes next” in peek-a-boo to older kids mastering multi-step tasks like brushing teeth or writing sentences, sequencing is the foundation for independence, problem-solving, and learning.
✨ First Things First: Quick Wins for You
🧩 Stacking Lego– Build, knock down, repeat: the simplest form of sequence play.
📚 Story Sequencing Cards – Picture cards kids can arrange to retell a story in order.
🎲 Board Games with Steps – Games like Candy Land teach waiting, turn-taking, and ordered progression.
🧠 Why Sequencing Matters (OT Lens)
Sequencing can assist with so many areas of child development:
Motor skills: Knowing “first stand, then step” leads to walking; “first reach, then grasp” builds coordination.
Daily living skills (ADLs): Dressing, brushing teeth, handwashing—all require multi-step order.
Language & academics: Retelling a story, solving a math problem, even spelling a word rely on sequence.
Emotional regulation: When kids understand “first calm breath, then problem-solving,” they learn self-regulation.
If sequencing is tricky, kids may forget steps, skip parts of routines, or struggle with transitions. Strengthening it early pays off in independence and confidence.
One morning, I was rushing to make eggs for breakfast. My little one was in the kitchen, watching closely.
I cracked the eggs into the bowl, and before I could say anything, he started chanting, “Crack, stir… cook!”
He wasn’t just copying me—he was proudly showing that he knew the order. By the time the eggs were ready, he was grinning like a little chef, so proud that he could “predict” what was next.
It reminded me how much kids thrive when we break tasks into simple, repeatable steps and let them take part.
🛠️ Sequencing Routine You Can Try
Here’s a simple “sequencing workout” you can rotate through the week, growing with your child:
Babies (Peek-a-Boo Practice)
Play peek-a-boo with a blanket.
Say “first cover, then reveal.”
Builds anticipation and early cause-effect.
Toddlers (Two-Step Play)
Give directions like: “First clap, then jump.”
Celebrate when they follow both steps.
Add silly moves to keep it fun.
Preschoolers (Daily Routine Sequencing)
Use visuals or songs: “First pants, then socks, then shoes.”
Encourage them to chant the steps as they do them.
School-Age (Storytelling & Games)
After reading a short book, ask: “What happened first, next, last?”
Play Simon Says with 2–3 commands at a time.
Practice recipes or crafts that require step-by-step order.
Try 5–10 minutes of sequencing games daily—it builds naturally into routines.
🔬 Why It Works
Sequencing strengthens both working memory and executive function—the brain’s “planning center.”
By practicing order in play, kids learn to carry that structure into everything else: learning letters in the right order, following classroom instructions, or even calming themselves with a “first… then…” strategy.
The more they practice, the smoother transitions and routines become.
Wrapping Up for Today
From peek-a-boo to pancakes, life is full of sequences—and teaching kids to master them helps build independence, confidence, and calm. Try a daily sequencing game this week and watch how those little “first… then…” steps add up.
Big high-five,
Rebecca Eliana
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