Mini Visual Schedules for Busy Families
Research indicates that the people who are most successful at completing their goals, are those who write their goals down. There are a lot of ways to write down your goals (or the steps to complete your goals). Some people use schedules, mini-schedules, or checklists.
For some, it is difficult to maintain a daily schedule, or to ensure the completion of a schedule each day due to a variety of responsibilities. Sometimes a quick mini schedule can be really helpful in the moment.
What is great about using mini schedules is that you can quickly draw (or write) them on a piece of paper, your phone, a whiteboard, etc., and just erase or check off as you go. You can also laminate a piece of paper and use dry erase markers to create your mini-schedule. Some people like to use actual picture cards, especially when the child is very young or is nonverbal.
A mom I know always says “I can’t draw” so she used Paint tools to help her make the mini schedule below, but you can do this in whatever way works best (e.g., whiteboard, paper, photos, phone, tablet, computer, etc).
For some children, pictures help, for some pictures and writing helps. Other children can benefit from just having the tasks on the mini schedule written down (or writing the tasks themselves). It can be looked at as a mini-schedule or a checklist.
Remember to build those preferred activities into your mini-schedule.
Recommended Tools to Help Make Visual Schedules:
Rachel Wise is a certified school psychologist and licensed behavior specialist with a Master’s Degree in Education. She is also the head author and CEO at educationandbehavior.com, a site for parents, caregivers, educators, counselors, and therapists to find effective, research-based strategies that work for children. Rachel has been working with individuals with academic and behavioral needs for over 20 years and has a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and the adults who support them. For Rachel’s top behavioral strategies all in one place, check out her book, Building Confidence and Improving Behavior in Children, a Guide for Parents and Teachers. If you want Rachel to write for your business, offer behavioral or academic consultation, or speak at your facility about research-based strategies that support children, email her at rachelwise@educationandbehvior.com.
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