Buckle Up Children!
Our UMA students are encouraged to create their own original ideas inspired by traditional Montessori activities. Heather Sharma from Winchester, VA submitted this simple, home-made sequencing activity for the classroom, with the willing assistance of her helpful son. The subject of fastening a seat belt not only reinforces personal safety, but also independence (fastening your own seatbelt) and responsibility (always buckle up!). And more…
Indirect preparation for language
Sequencing picture cards are designed to provide an indirect preparation for language (writing and reading). Sequencing cards always tell a “story” through pictures, placed in random order on a tray/basket. The story cards first are placed in order of logical progression (“first, next, then, last”) on a table or floor mat. There is always a beginning, middle, and end. Once this is completed, we then “read” the cards orally from left to right in story form. This activity helps broaden the child’s vocabulary, encourages the spoken language through story telling and elaboration, as well as inspires great follow-up conversation!
Indirect preparation for math and more…
Sequencing picture cards also provide an indirect preparation for math. Math concepts require order and sequence; for example, increasing numerical quantities (1-10), equations (1+2=3). Sequencing activities also help the child develop a sense of time or history, even a simple concept such as yesterday, today, or tomorrow. On a broader basis, this sense of time could be in the form of personal history (from newborn to now) or inventions (from dial-up phone to cell phone), or… ! AND, sequencing cards aid in understanding science concepts such as life cycles of plants or animals, or geography concepts such as islands being formed by volcanic eruptions…all requiring specific sequencing of events.
There are so many ways to introduce sequencing activities in all areas of learning! Thank you, Heather Sharma, for sharing your sequencing cards with us!
For more sequencing (and patterning):
Pre-Language and Math Exercises
Language – Preparation for Reading
