Visual Supports for Routines, Schedules, and Transitions - Home Visual Cue Cards

Sep 25, 2026

Visual supports help children learn new skills and reduce challenging behavior by making “now” and “next” clear through visual reminders. The guide explains how to use visual schedule cards at home to create predictability and consistency in daily routines. It provides step-by-step directions for creating visual schedules and First/Then boards, including preparing cards, organizing activities, posting displays at eye level, and reinforcing completion with positive feedback.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Visual Schedule

Making a Visual Schedule

How to Use

First/Then Boards

Making a First/Then Board

Visual Supports for Routines, Schedules, and Transitions Introduction Visual supports can help children learn new skills and prevent challenging behavior. Visuals help young children learn and follow routines by helping them understand what is happening “now” and what is going to happen “next.”Visuals serve as reminders for verbal directions and help children know exactly what is expected of them. Use the following visual cue cards and templates to develop visual supports that work for your child and family! Visual Schedule National Center for Pyramid Model [Innovations |](Innovations | ChallengingBehavior.org)[ ChallengingBehavior.org](Innovations | ChallengingBehavior.org) The reproduction of this document is encouraged. Permission to copy is not required. If modified or used in another format, please cite original source. This is a product of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and was made possible by Cooperative Agreement \#H326B170003 which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Pub: 09/30/20 National Center for Pyramid Model [Innovations](Innovations | ChallengingBehavior.org)[ | ChallengingBehavior.org](Innovations | ChallengingBehavior.org) 1 Visual Schedules Using a visual schedule at home provides young children with predictability (i.e., they know what activity or routine is coming and when) and consistency (i.e., the schedule of activities or routines is the same). Visual schedules help children know what their day will look like by letting them know when activities or routines will happen. These visual cards will make this process easy! Making a Visual Schedule 1. Identify when you need a visual schedule. A visual schedule might outline parts ofa day, half-day, or an entire day. Pick the times of your day when your child might need extra support to engage in activities or cope with transitions. 2. List the steps you want your child to follow. For example, for a bedtime routine, you might list: • go to the bathroom • wash • put on pajamas • brush teeth • read a book • bed time TIP! Structure the day so that fun activities follow ones that are challenging. You might put cleaning up right before going outside or brushing teeth right before reading books. 3. Cut out the cards. Optional: Print cards on cardstock, attach to thicker paper, laminate, or make cards sturdy by covering with clear tape or clear contact paper. 4. Select the visual cards for the schedule you want to create. Don’t see a visual you need? It’s easy to make your own! See the page 4 for directions. 5. Get creative! Use tape, Velcro, or magnets to post the visual cards in the order your child will do them. Families find that posters, file folders, or hanging pocket charts work great for visual schedules. TIP! Schedules work best when children can see when they are done with an activity. Here are some ideas: • Create a pocket at the bottom or end of the display that represents“finished” or “all done.” Place visuals in envelope or pocket when finished. • Make a schedule with visuals that can be removed. • If your schedule is a book format, turn the page. • Use a placeholder (like a clothespin or paper clip) that can move from visual to visual. 6. Post the schedule. Place the schedule at the child’s eye level in a place where you go often (e.g., kitchen) to promote consistent use. Use the schedule as part of your daily routine! [ChallengingBehavior.org |](ChallengingBehavior.org | National Center)[ National Center](ChallengingBehavior.org | National Center) for Pyramid Model Innovations 2 How to Use ► Teach your child how to use the schedule by explaining and demonstrating how to use the pictures. ► Refer to the visual schedule throughout the day (e.g.,“We just got hom

FAQs

What do visual supports help children do during routines?

They help children understand what is happening now and what will happen next, making it easier to learn and follow routines and reducing challenging behavior.

How should families set up a visual schedule at home?

Place the schedule at the child’s eye level in a frequently used location and use tape, Velcro, or magnets to show the order of activities. Make sure children can see when they are done with an activity.

How can a First/Then board support transitions?

It can help children move from one activity to another, break routines into smaller steps, and encourage completing less preferred tasks first so a more enjoyable activity can follow.

Sep 25, 2026

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