Life skills sequencing mats help preschool and early elementary learners see how everyday routines work, one step at a time! The Differentiated Life Skills Sequencing Mats cover 12 real-life routines, from getting ready for school to crossing the street, with 2 levels of support in one easy-to-use resource.

Children put 4 picture cards in order on a full-color mat labeled 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, then tell what happens in each step. Whether you are supporting preschoolers, students with special needs or English language learners, these routines are familiar and relatable, so children can talk about them with confidence.

With these life skills sequencing mats, you get

• 12 everyday routines children recognize from home and school
• 2 differentiated levels: blank mats and partially filled mats
• 4-step picture cards with labeled ordinal positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)
• Practice with sequencing, vocabulary, life skills and storytelling
• Reusable cards and mats that are quick to prep and store

Print, laminate and let your learners put each routine in order.

What's Included

• 12 life skills routines in two levels of difficulty
• Blank sequencing mats for students to independently place all four steps in order
• Partially filled sequencing mats with one or two steps completed for extra support
• 4-step picture cards for each routine, with labeled ordinal positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)
• Matching mats in full color with adorable illustrations
• Routines included: Getting Ready for School, Getting Ready for Bed, Lunch Time, Breakfast Time, Washing Hands, Washing Dishes, Setting the Table, Making Jelly Toast, Making Lunch, Making a Burger, Sending a Letter and Crossing the Street

Why Teachers Love It

• Built-in differentiation: Blank mats and partially filled mats let you match the level to each child without extra prep.
• Real routines children know: Washing hands, setting the table and getting ready for bed connect sequencing to daily life.
• Language practice in every routine: Children name each step and tell the routine in order, which builds vocabulary and storytelling.
• Visual support for every learner: Picture cards make the steps clear for visual learners, students with special needs and ELL students.
• Grab-and-go organization: Store each routine in its own labeled bag and pull it out whenever you need it.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Sequencing and time order: Children put the 4 steps of each routine in order, using first, second, third and fourth.
• Life skills and routines: Each mat walks through a familiar daily task, such as washing hands or making lunch.
• Vocabulary development: Children learn and use words for everyday objects and actions.
• Storytelling and oral language: Children retell each routine from beginning to end in their own words.
• Critical thinking: Children decide what has to happen first and what comes next.
• Visual discrimination: Children look closely at the pictures to see what changes from one step to the next.
• Fine motor skills: Pressing cards onto hook-and-loop dots and moving them into place strengthens little hands.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Making and checking predictions
• Communicating choices
• Maintaining attention
• Working independently
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the mats and picture cards on cardstock and laminate for durability. Add hook-and-loop dots so the cards stick to the mats.

Step 2: Choose a routine and a level for each child. Use the blank mat for independent sequencing or the partially filled mat for extra support.

Step 3: Children place the picture cards in order from 1st to 4th, then tell the routine out loud. Store each routine in a labeled zip-top bag for next time.

Materials You'll Need

• Cardstock
• Laminating pouches and a laminator
• Hook-and-loop dots
• Zip-top bags for storage

Easy Differentiation

Every child comes to sequencing with different language, attention and life skills. These mats make it simple to give each learner the right amount of support.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Use the partially filled mats with one or two steps already completed
• Start with a routine the child does every day, such as washing hands
• Name each picture together before placing the cards
• Offer two cards at a time and ask which comes first

For On-Level Practice

• Use the blank mats to place all four steps in order
• Say "first, next, then, last" while placing the cards
• Retell the routine to a partner after it is complete
• Rotate through new routines each week

For an Extra Challenge

• Sequence two or three routines in a row without help
• Tell the routine in complete sentences with extra details
• Mix up the cards and ask a partner to find the step that is out of order
• Talk about what would happen if a step were skipped

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Use the cards as storytelling prompts to build expressive language
• Practice ordinal words and action words for each step
• Use a sentence frame such as "First I ___, then I ___."
• Build fine motor skills by pressing and pulling cards from the hook-and-loop dots
• Give repeated practice with the same routine for students who need repeated exposure

Perfect For

• Preschool and pre-K classrooms
• Life skills centers
• Special education classrooms
• Speech and language therapy sessions
• ELL and ESL support
• Morning routines
• Quiet time activities
• Independent work stations
• Small groups
• Homeschool

Standards

These life skills sequencing mats support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), plus kindergarten speaking, listening and vocabulary standards in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR, adopted 2017) and the Virginia English SOL (2024):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS SL.K.4: Describe familiar events and, with prompting and support, add more detail while telling each routine.
• CCSS L.K.6: Use words learned through conversation, such as the names of everyday objects and actions.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.VII.A.3: Connect their own lives to events, time and routines by putting daily routines in order.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.II.D.1: Understand and use words that label and describe objects, actions and events in each routine.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.III.D.1: Retell a sequence with a clear beginning, middle and end, using the picture cards as support.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.C.2: Practice good habits of personal health and hygiene. Children talk through the steps of washing hands and getting ready for bed.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.C.1: Practice good habits of personal safety, such as the steps for crossing the street.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS ELAR K.1.C: Share ideas by speaking audibly and clearly while retelling a routine.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS HPD4.1: Take care of daily health needs through routines like washing hands and getting ready for bed.
• Virginia ELDS HPD4.2: Learn safe behaviors with the crossing the street routine.
• Virginia ELDS CLLD1.2: Use vocabulary to communicate while naming and describing each step.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL English K.RV.1.C: Use vocabulary from across content areas, including words for daily routines and safety.

Check out what other educators are saying:

Sally D. (TPT Seller) wrote: “I am an ENL teacher and use this resource with my Kindergarten ELL's. It is very useful and helps with engaging them in oral storytelling.”

★★★★★ Jacques Junction wrote: “I was able to use this with my intellectually impaired student while her peers worked on higher leveled sequencing activities. This was a perfect tool for us.”

★★★★★ Trudi G. wrote: “LOVE these sequencing mats. Great for comprehension and composition skills. My students even use them during morning work as a great reinforcement. Thank you.”

★★★★★ Samantha H. wrote: “This resource is so great as you can pick which level is most appropriate for your students. My kids loved it and I loved that there were so many different scenarios (many ADLs, too!) represented. Thanks!”

Help your learners see how everyday routines work with the Differentiated Life Skills Sequencing Mats. With 12 real-life routines, 2 levels of support and colorful picture cards, you'll have sequencing, vocabulary and life skills practice ready for centers, therapy sessions and small groups. Add this resource to your cart today!

Download Details

This is a digital download. No physical items will be shipped.

You'll receive your download link

• On the "thank you" page after checkout
• In your confirmation email
• In your account dashboard anytime: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account