Visual schedules are a great way to communicate clear expectations, reduce power struggles, and increase independence at home and at school!

Visual schedules help children know what to expect and see what success looks like. Seeing each step of the process in sequence helps children plan and take appropriate action.

Visual schedules can be used for sequencing steps for routines like getting dressed, going to the bathroom, or brushing teeth. They can also be used for sequencing activities throughout the day, plans for the week, or how many "sleeps" before a special event.

Visual schedules come in all shapes and sizes. Whenever possible, I recommend using pictures of real items and your child doing each step of the process. Involving children in creating the visual schedule gives them a sense of ownership and teaches each step of the sequence as they do it.

Here are creative ideas for making visual schedules meaningful and fun:

• Lights, camera, action: Take pictures of your little one performing each step of the routine, sequence them together, and create a billboard or marquee to showcase the visual schedule

• Rock on: Create a song to go with the visual schedule. My little learners and families love the “wash your hands/goodbye bubble” and “brush your teeth” songs.

• Dance party: Dance routines sequencing the movements of getting dressed, packing a backpack, or setting the table are a blast!

• Upcycle to teach the cycle: Help your little one find and cut out pictures of actions or items needed for the visual schedule. This is upcycling at it’s finest!

Visual schedules are brilliant tools for communicating clear expectations, reducing power struggles, and supporting independence. You are an expert in your child or little learner. Adapt these ideas or use your own to help your little love feel included, supported, and successful.

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Rebecca A. Weiner, M.Ed. is a dynamic educator and creator of Learn Play Grow Educational Consulting. She supports transformational growth for young children with diverse abilities and their families, teachers, and schools through play-based learning, parent and teacher coaching, consulting in schools, and neurodiversity-affirming inclusion support in early childhood programs.