Many children need support when learning new skills. Breaking a skill down into smaller steps can help a child learn one step at a time. The number of steps a skill or task is broken into depends on the needs of your child.
You may want to provide your child with a visual sequence. This is basically a series of pictures showing the steps that are necessary to complete a task. You can use real photos, line drawings, or picture symbols. When using a visual sequence, post it at your child’s eye level, point to the picture, and read the step out loud before completing the action. You can also use the pictures to create a sequencing game of your own. Simply print the pictures, cut them out, and have your child practise putting the steps in order. You can also create a matching game by making two copies of the sequence. Glue one copy to a piece of construction paper in the correct order and have your child use the other set to match the cards.
Here’s an example of a ‘brushing teeth’ sequence
1. Pick up the tooth brush
2. Wet the brush
3. Take the cap off the tube
4. Put paste on the brush
5. Brush the bottom row of teeth
6. Brush the top row of teeth
7. Spit
8. Rinse the brush
9. Replace the brush in the holder
10. Grasp cup
11. Fill cup with water
12. Rinse teeth with water
13. Spit
14. Replace cup in holder
15. Wipe mouth on towel
16. Screw cap back on tube
17. Place tube back in its place