Before and After: Sequencing Worksheet for Early Learners
Sequencing 'before' and 'after' events trains children to think about time and cause-and-effect in order, a reasoning skill that underlies reading comprehension, like following a story's plot, and everyday routines alike. This cut-and-paste format adds a physical, hands-on layer, requiring children to manipulate and place pictures correctly rather than just pointing, which reinforces the sequencing concept through action.
Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Look at the sequence of images shown at the top of the page together and talk through what's happening in each one. Have your child cut out the loose images at the bottom of the page, keeping them in view rather than losing track of any piece. For each set, ask 'What happened before this?' and 'What happened after?' before gluing each cut-out into its correct spot. Once everything is pasted, have your child retell the full sequence in order, using the words 'first,' 'then,' and 'after.'
Materials needed
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
Extension activities
- •Take three photos of a simple activity, like making toast, and ask your child to put them in the correct before/after order.
- •Talk through your child's own daily routine, asking what happens before and after specific events like breakfast or bath time.
- •Use a favorite short story and ask your child what happened before and after a key event in the plot.
- •Draw a simple three-step comic strip together and cut it into pieces for your child to reassemble in order.
Tips for parents and teachers
If your child pastes pieces out of order, resist correcting it immediately — ask them to explain the story they've created instead, since talking it through often helps them spot the mistake themselves. Keep loose cut pieces contained in a small tray or cup so nothing gets lost before pasting. This is also a good moment to introduce time words like 'first,' 'next,' and 'finally' in everyday conversation.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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