The Life Changing Magic of Visual Schedules
Does this scenario sound familiar? You are trying to get everyone out the door in the morning and you ask your child to get their coat, shoes, backpack, etc. You are getting your own coat on and realize they are still watching TV. Now, you are raising your voice and frustration creeps in because you are going to be late. The worst part might be that this scenario happens EVERY SINGLE DAY!
One of the biggest daily stresses for a lot of parents are those daily routines that kids don’t follow. Parents feel like they have to repeat themselves a million times or yell in order for their kids to get moving. It’s time to be less reactive and more proactive!
We can alleviate some of the stress through teaching daily routines. Think of a routine as those times of the day that always follow the same steps in the same order. So, getting dressed, mealtime, naptime, homework, or bedtime are all examples of daily routines. For a lot of parents, there are certain times of the day where you have to repeatedly give your kids the same directions which causes frustration, yelling, and sometimes, even tears.
Children thrive on structure and routine. Using a visual format helps children anticipate what is coming next. Sure, you may have told them, but seeing it in writing makes it easier to remember. Most of us keep a calendar in our phone or a planner which is also a visual. I know if I lost my planner I would panic because I rely on the visual to make sure I’m where I’m supposed to be each day.
Visuals are easy to understand and can be adapted for children’s age and ability level. You can use pictures for children who aren’t reading yet or just a written list for older children who are readers. Visuals are great for all children (and adults too :) but work especially well for children with language delays, ADHD, intellectual delays, or autism.
Daily routines establish healthy habits and help children become more independent. Routines teach self-care skills that will become increasingly important as kids get older. Having a written schedule becomes a way that parents can decrease the amount of “telling” kids what to do. Once they learn the routine, you can refer back to the schedule or just point to the next thing rather than repeat the directions.
Following a schedule is an important school skill. It teaches self-management, organization, and independent work habits.
So, here are some points to consider if you are ready to bring some sanity back to your day and are ready to try a visual schedule.
Start small! Pick just one time of the day and create a schedule with no more than 5-7 steps. You can always add once your child gets the hang of it.
Creating the schedule doesn’t automatically mean your child will know how to follow it. The magic of the schedule occurs only after you have taught your child how to use it.
Stay super positive and acknowledge the positive things your child is doing. You wan’t to make it fun so that they are motivated to use it because of your reaction to their success.
When they inevitably make a mistake, take a gentle coaching approach. This is to be expected and part of the learning process. Try a correction such as “remember the next thing we have to do is put on our shoes” while showing them the picture/word on the schedule.
Use rewards for completing the schedule. Simple things such as “after you get ready for bed then we will have time to read a bedtime story.” Rewards keep motivation high and increase the positive behavior of following the schedule.
Ready to get started? Drop a comment below and share the routine you want to start with that would bring more peace to your day.