Following simple steps in the correct order seems pretty basic. For example, it makes sense that when you cook an omelet, the butter goes in first, then eggs, then the cheese. Any other way and it’s a mess.
But for some people, knowing the sequence of steps in a task is hard, even when they’ve done that task before.
There are many reasons people struggle with doing things in the right order. Often, it’s because they have trouble with skills like organization and attention.
Trouble with sequencing isn’t a sign of laziness — or of not caring about doing a good job. It’s also not a matter of intelligence. It happens because of difficulty with specific skills.
Dive deeper
The first thing people learn to sequence is language. So signs of difficulty usually appear early, as kids start to talk.
For example, a preschooler might say “milk I want” instead of “I want milk.” After kindergarten, using the wrong tense of a word (“I wented to the store”) could be a sign.
The challenges also impact actions and thoughts. Kids might not follow the right steps to solve a math problem. Adults might pass the tools to their boss in the wrong order when they’re fixing something. And in conversation, people might tell stories that are jumbled and hard to follow.
When people don’t follow steps in the right order, it may look like they’re not following directions. But that’s not the same as difficulty sequencing.
Trouble doing things in the right order can happen for different reasons. Some people struggle with paying attention to the steps or keeping them in . Or they may struggle with organization in general.
People who have a hard time with these skills (known as ) often have trouble with sequencing. That includes people with ADHD.
Other people may have difficulty because of a processing issue. They may need more time to take in and make sense of the steps. Language challenges can also make it hard to follow steps.
With the right support, kids can improve their sequencing skills. There are strategies and tools that can help. For example, graphic organizers can help older kids (and adults) practice writing and telling stories with all the elements in the proper order.
Certain everyday activities can also build sequencing skills.These include cooking, doing laundry, and planting in the garden. Talk through the activity as you do it and ask kids to explain the order of the steps you took.
Talking about TV shows or movies you’ve watched can also help kids understand the order of things.Have them retell the plot or a certain scene. You can do this with books, too. If kids can’t come up with a clear beginning, middle, and end, help put the story in order.
