When a teacher wants to reinforce sequencing skills, what is the first step for a child like Samuel?

When reinforcing sequencing skills, it's essential to start with a foundational understanding of the elements involved in the sequence. In this scenario, counting the number of legs on each individual animal provides a concrete and hands-on activity for Samuel. It establishes a basis for recognizing the specific quantities involved, which is critical in developing sequencing abilities.

By counting individual legs, Samuel engages in a process that encourages one-to-one correspondence and numerical literacy. This skill is foundational as it allows children to not only understand sequences but also to make comparisons, group items, and build upon their mathematical thinking. Once Samuel is comfortable with counting and understanding the individual components, he can then progress to more complex sequencing tasks, such as comparing or sorting based on the number of legs—skills that naturally follow from a solid understanding of how to count.

Other options focus on comparisons or categorization, which may be advanced without first securing a strong counting skill. Therefore, starting with counting prepares a child like Samuel for more complex activities in sequencing and mathematical reasoning.