Ready, set, go.... in the morning and for bed.

Do you find yourself in "repeat mode" every morning?

"Have you brushed your teeth?"
"Put your shoes on."
"Pack your bag."
"Have you washed your face?"

School days are often worse than the weekends.  Where does the time go?  Even if your child is an early riser, in those moments before you need to be out of the door there is chaos.  Does this sound like your house?  

On the other hand, some children struggle with getting ready for bed.  There is another drink of water to be had, teeth to be cleaned, a book, turning the night light on, going to the toilet... the list might get longer each night.

For some children, a visual time table or visual checklist can help with getting "ready" or organised in the morning or at night.  Some children find visual cues helpful for completing tasks such as getting dressed and for others understanding the routine of the day can be better understood through photographs or pictures.

Visual cues help children to plan and organise.  They provide predictability and routine, which can be difficult to teach a child with a disability.

There are some excellent free visual aid resources at http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/  

The visual aids on this website have been designed for children with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Language Disorders and Delays, Hearing Impairment , Developmental Delay, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, English as a Second Language, Learning Difficulties.  There are resources for school, home, toilet training and behaviour. 

You can download the pictures, cut them out and arrange them as required.

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I created some visual aid resources for my daughter when she started Kindergarten.  She uses a visual checklist to get ready in the morning and to get ready for bed.  I printed out the "routine girl glasses" and placed it into the NYTTJA picture frame from IKEA. The NYTTJA picture frames with plastic insert from IKEA come in a variety of colours and for $2.49 are a bargain.  They make excellent dry-erase boards, perfect for checking off a visual checklist in the morning! 

You can purchase these visual checklists from the Your Kids OT shop.  The morning routine includes using the toilet, getting dressed, combing hair, brushing teeth, washing face, putting on socks and shoes.  The evening routine includes bathing/showering, putting on  pyjamas, brushing teeth, coming hair, using the toilet and reading. The routines which include putting on glasses exclude putting on socks and shoes.

You will find four self care routines available. 
Routine girl 
Routine boy
Routine girl glasses
Routine boy glasses

Morning and evening "Routine girl glasses" and "Routine Boy" available at Your Kids OT Shop.

Your Kids OT

Ikea NYTTJA picture frames

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Here are a few tips for introducing a visual checklist or timetable...

• Start by being with your child for the whole morning and evening routine.  
  
• Show them the relevant picture and ask them to complete it.  
  
• Demonstrate how to mark off the activity with a tick or cross on the circle next to the activity.
  
• Help your child work through completing each picture and ticking off the corresponding circle.
• Provide praise after each activity and when all the pictures have been ticked off.
• You may need to do this for a few days (or longer) so they are familiar with the routine.  Also show your child how to erase the board before each morning or evening routine. 
• Once the routine chart is familiar, encourage your child's independence in completing the chart each morning and evening. 
• If your child forgets to complete an activity redirect them to the chart to "self-check" if each picture has been marked off ... rather than telling them the activity that was missed.  This helps with with future planning, organising and "executive functioning" **.  

Have a closer look at these checklists at the Your Kids OT shop and see if they will help your child with planning and organisation. 

** Executive Functioning - Read more about this at the National Centre for Learning Disabilities.