Do you have a way that you keep track of everything that is going to happen in your day? Maybe a calendar? Or notes on your phone? Or just a mental list of what is on your agenda? Do you get frustrated if your schedule changes? Children are the same way, but they can't do it for themselves. Here's a simple way, using materials you already have at home, to create a visual schedule for the day. While some children are okay with a verbal reminder of what comes next throughout the day, others need the visual picture so they can look and see how the day is going to progress. Just like other strategies, you will have to demonstrate the schedule so your child learns how to 'read' it. Don't expect this to magically work, it takes some children repetition over several weeks to really get the hang of what the schedule means. But then, wow! Game changer!
As adults, we have all kinds of reminders throughout the day of what we need to do. A to-do list. A recipe. A calendar reminder on our phone. Map-quest. Children can really benefit from having the same visual schedules in their day too. Here are several ideas of how you can create visual schedules in your home. I used a plastic cutting sheet and cardboard from a box. This is called make-do with what you have!
It might not look like it does at school, but it still can be just as meaningful! I've made these cookies so many times, I don't even need to see the recipe. But times are different right now, and I was so distracted by what I was doing (making videos) that I'm pretty sure I forgot the second cup of flour! Guess what? They still taste like cookies. And that should be the take away from this video. It won't be the same... and that's OK! Unexpectedly at home. Expect differences. In there somewhere, though, try to find moments to enjoy each other.
Routines are important, but that doesn’t mean it has to be 6:30 a.m. Do what works for your family!
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