Visual Schedules

We started using visual schedules with Fletcher before he turned 2 (I’m not even sure we knew what they were called at that point), as morning and evening transitions were always hard.  We still use them frequently – with both morning and evening schedules posted for all of us to see.  It really helps the boys understand what to expect next which gives their brains an opportunity to organize around that. Visual schedules give some ownership to our littles and certainly aid in independence.  It seems so obvious, right?  But when you’re overwhelmed with every other aspect of life, sometimes the things that make the most sense are the hardest to come up with.

Our visual schedules were initially very simple – a picture and the corresponding task.  You can certainly get more elaborate and we have over time.  We occasionally create a visual schedule if there’s a major event on a particular day and always have one for a permanent routine change.  We’ve also used visual schedules as check-lists for tasks that need to be completed before screen time, chores, and to keep track of our ever-changing virtual learning schedule.  Fletcher likes the satisfaction of checking something off, so in that case we put the visual schedule in a sheet protector and let him check-off completed tasks with a dry erase marker.

Below are links to PDF files of the visual schedules that we started with.  Feel free to use them if they’re helpful for you.  The Printables button will take you to our Seasons of Sensory store for more elaborate visual schedules for home and school, social stories, sensory scavenger hunt and more.