Before, Now & Next Cards — 15 Printable Past, Present and Future Picture Stories (45 Verb Tense Sequencing Cards)

Introduction

The Past, Present, and Future Picture Story Cards PDF is a comprehensive digital resource designed for children learning to describe actions across time. This 14-page set features 45 picture cards grouped into 15 three-card stories, each illustrating an event in the past, present, and future. Ideal for children with speech delay, autism, or those using AAC, these cards help build expressive language and narrative skills in a supportive, visual format.

Children practice sequencing three events in order, using color-coded cues and simple sentences. The set covers simple past tense—including both regular -ed verbs and new-word pasts like built and ate—present continuous, and future with will. By laying out the cards left to right, learners gain measurable progress in telling a story in order and using tense words correctly.

Perfect for home, therapy, and classroom settings, these cards support a variety of learning needs. Sequencing three events is reinforced through visual prompts, making it easy for children to understand before, now, and next. The resource adapts to individual or group work, and is especially helpful for speech-language pathologists, special educators, and parents.

Product Details

• Resource Name: Past, Present, and Future Picture Story Cards PDF
• Format: Printable and screen-ready PDF
• Total Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Special Education
• Designed For: Speech therapy, autism support, AAC users, early language learners
• Printing Notes: Print single-sided; cards and headers can be cut out
• Best Used In: Home, classroom, therapy sessions
• Sets: 15 three-card stories (45 cards total)
• Visuals / Illustrations: Full-color photographs with color-coded text and tabs

Educational Benefits

1. Sequencing and Storytelling Mastery

• Children practice sequencing three events in order, building narrative skills step by step.
• Visual cues guide learners to lay out stories from left to right.
• Consistent practice helps children tell what happened before, now, and next.

2. Tense Recognition and Usage

• Learners identify and use simple past, present continuous, and future tense forms.
• Color-coded tense words highlight language patterns for easy recognition.
• Children gain confidence using verbs like built, ate, and will build in context.

3. AAC and Alternative Communication Support

• The cards are fully accessible for children using AAC or sign language.
• Placing cards in order is a complete answer, supporting nonverbal communication.
• Visual structure and simple sentences help all learners participate equally.

4. Visual Comprehension and Engagement

• High-quality photographs make each action clear and relatable.
• Tabs labeled BEFORE, NOW, NEXT reinforce the concept of time visually.
• Children with speech delay or autism benefit from strong visual supports.

5. Progress Tracking and Motivation

• The primary_keyword makes it easy to monitor growth in tense usage and sequencing.
• Includes a practice log, carryover page, and Certificate of Timeline Power.
• Children stay motivated as they see their own improvement over time.

Instructions for Use

Step 1: Print and Prepare the Cards

• Print the PDF single-sided on sturdy paper for durability.
• Cut out all 45 picture cards and header cards along the lines.
• Laminate cards for repeated use in therapy or classroom.

Step 2: Introduce Sequencing with Two Cards

• Start with BEFORE and NOW cards from one story set.
• Ask the child to arrange them left to right, describing each scene.
• sequencing three events can begin with just two steps for beginners.

Step 3: Expand to Three-Card Stories

• Add the NEXT card to complete the sequence.
• Guide the child to lay out all three cards in order, left to right.
• Encourage them to tell the story using the tense words shown.

Step 4: Highlight Tense Words in Sentences

• Point out the color-coded tense word in each sentence.
• Ask the child to read or repeat the sentence, emphasizing the tense.
• simple past tense appears in the BEFORE card for practice.

Step 5: Play Timeline Games and Activities

• Try activities like Put It In Order or Guess What Happens Next.
• Mix cards from different stories for sorting and matching challenges.
• Use the practice log to track which stories and tenses are mastered.

Step 6: Support AAC and Visual Learners

• Encourage children to answer by pointing, signing, or arranging cards.
• Use the extra support pages for when a word won't come.
• future tense practice is reinforced with the NEXT card in every story.

Activities Using the Resource

1. Sequencing Three Events in Order

Objective: To master sequencing three events using the past, present, and future forms in the primary_keyword.

How to Play:

• Select one three-card story (e.g., "He built a tower").
• Lay the BEFORE, NOW, and NEXT cards left to right.
• Have the child describe each card aloud in sequence.

Skill Development:

• Builds understanding of event order and time concepts.
• Reinforces left-to-right progression for reading readiness.
• Develops expressive language for sequencing.

2. Tense Word Color Match

Objective: To recognize and use color-coded tense words in the primary_keyword for clearer tense identification.

How to Play:

• Show cards with color-coded tense words (e.g., "built," "is building," "will build").
• Ask the child to point out or sort cards by the color of the tense word.
• Practice saying each sentence, emphasizing the colored word.

Skill Development:

• Increases awareness of tense changes in sentences.
• Supports visual discrimination through color cues.
• Improves verb tense production.

3. AAC-Friendly Storytelling

Objective: To support nonverbal communication by building stories with sequencing cards.

How to Play:

• Present a set of three cards (e.g., "She cooked soup").
• The child arranges cards in order by pointing or using AAC.
• Adult models or prompts the child to tell the story using gestures or device.

Skill Development:

• Encourages alternative communication strategies.
• Strengthens receptive and expressive sequencing.
• Fosters independence in story construction.

4. Guess What Happens Next Game

Objective: To develop prediction skills using visual cues and sequencing logic.

How to Play:

• Show the BEFORE and NOW cards from a story.
• Ask the child to guess what the NEXT card will show.
• Reveal the NEXT card and discuss the outcome.

Skill Development:

• Enhances inferencing and logical thinking.
• Promotes attention to detail in images and sentences.
• Boosts anticipation and reasoning skills.

5. Sorting Regular and Irregular Past Tense Verbs

Objective: To distinguish between regular -ed and new-word past tense verbs in context.

How to Play:

• Gather all BEFORE cards from the set.
• Sort cards into two piles: regular -ed verbs and irregular verbs (e.g., "built," "ate").
• Read each sentence aloud and highlight the verb.

Skill Development:

• Improves verb classification and grammar awareness.
• Reinforces auditory discrimination of verb forms.
• Supports targeted language intervention.

6. Three-Card Timeline for Personal Stories

Objective: To generalize sequencing skills by creating personal stories using the three-card timeline.

How to Play:

• Give the child blank timeline cards or use provided practice log.
• Ask them to draw or describe their own before, now, and next events.
• Arrange and narrate their story using the same left-to-right order.

Skill Development:

• Encourages personal narrative and self-expression.
• Applies sequencing to real-life experiences.
• Builds confidence in storytelling and communication.

Conclusion

The Past, Present, and Future Picture Story Cards PDF offers a clear, engaging pathway for children to master tense usage and sequencing. Designed for early language learners, AAC users, and children with speech delay or autism, it supports growth in storytelling and grammar through visual structure and hands-on practice.

Learners build confidence in simple past tense and timeline concepts as they arrange cards and narrate stories. The resource fits seamlessly into home routines, classroom lessons, and therapy sessions, making it easy to target expressive language and communication goals.

Download the Past, Present, and Future Picture Story Cards PDF today and empower your child or students to tell stories with clarity and confidence across before, now, and next.