My Morning Routine: Put the Steps in Order

🌱 SequencingAge 4-5EasyDaily Routine 🇺🇸 Preschool 🇬🇧 Reception 🇮🇳 LKG

Getting ready in the morning is something every child does, so it makes a wonderful first sequencing activity. In this free activity, your child looks at eight picture steps — waking up, brushing teeth, bathing, dressing, eating breakfast, packing the school bag, wearing shoes and leaving for school — and puts them in the correct order. Talking about what happens first, next and last helps little ones learn time words and feel confident about their own day. It is simple, friendly and perfect for preschool and kindergarten children at home or in the classroom.

How to play

Look at all the picture cards together and name each one out loud: "brushing teeth", "eating breakfast", and so on.
Ask your child, "What do we do first in the morning?" and place that card at the start.
Keep asking "What comes next?" until all eight steps are in order from waking up to going to school.
Retell the whole routine like a story, using the words first, next, then and last.

This sequencing activity builds skills children use every day. By ordering eight familiar steps, your child practises logical thinking, memory and the time words first, next, then and last — all important for early reading comprehension and storytelling. Describing each picture adds new vocabulary, while following a known routine supports independence and smoother school mornings. You can extend the learning by asking your child to draw their own routine, or by changing the order and asking, "Does this look right?" Gentle questions matter more than speed, so give your child plenty of time to explain their thinking.

Frequently asked questions

What age is this sequencing activity best for?

It works well for children aged three to six. Younger children can start with four or five cards and simply say what happens first and last, while older children can order all eight steps and explain their reasons in full sentences.

Why is sequencing important for young children?

Sequencing helps children understand that events happen in a logical order. This same skill is needed later for retelling stories, following instructions, writing sentences and solving maths problems step by step, so early practice is very valuable.

My child puts the steps in a different order. Is that wrong?

Not always. Some families eat breakfast before bathing, and that is fine. Ask your child to explain their order. If it matches their real morning and sounds sensible, praise the thinking behind it.

Can I use this activity as a printable at home?

Yes. You can print the picture steps, cut them into cards and let your child arrange them on a table. Many parents stick the finished order on the wall as a simple morning routine chart.

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Updated 1 Nov 2026