Visual Daily Schedule Free Printable

Visual Schedules. What are they, why do we use them, and how do they work? All this and a FREE printable daily visual schedule is yours!

What is a visual schedule?

A visual schedule shows an individual in pictures what will be happening. It can be over a day, hour, month, or steps to a specific task. These are great for kids on the spectrum because it plays into their natural want for rigidity and predicability. It is also very helpful for a child that has issues with receptive language (like mine). Because it gives them a different way to understand what is being asked. 

Often times with a visual schedule it is made up of pictures with the task written out next to it. This can also be used as a form of communication. This is called picture exchange communication or PECS. Visual schedules can be integrated into a PECS system. Or they can be used by neurotypical kids who are motivated by gold stars. 

Why we use one.

The idea of a chart was suggested to me by my daughters speech pathologist. She thought that it would be good for her to have more understanding of what is being asked of her. When I mentioned the idea to her teachers at school they were very enthusiastic about it and also incorporated a PECS system for her to use when frustrated.

Since the incorporation of this, she has done very well at school. Having behaviors once a week when previously she was having them every day. With the success of this at school, I was interested to see if it would help us at home. 

My daughters worst times are mornings and night time transitions. So I set out to find a schedule that covered her bed time and morning routine. I was surprised to find that there weren’t very many options. So being the blogging mama I am I made my own. This means you get to have one too!

With the implementation of this visual schedule at home, we have had fewer meltdowns than ever before. They still do happen but not as frequently, and we have run into issues where something was not on the schedule that we were asking her to do. Other than that though it’s been smooth sailing. My daughter loves to run and put her star on the chart.

How we do it.

In order to save printing this out every day I put it on my fridge and use star magnets with it. If you have the ability to laminate the printable you can use dry erase markers to mark off the boxes. Or whatever suits you and your child’s creative hearts.

I made my own stars with wooden cutouts and gold paint. You can probably buy them if you would like. Then I just printed the schedule out on cardstock. I just used magnets that were already on the fridge. You can buy special ones to put it up if you would like. Go as fancy or as minimalistic as you would like. 

I hope this helps you as much as it has helped us. Let me know in the comments below what your experience has been with visual schedules. Or if you have found something else helpful to get your kiddos ready and out the door. 

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Update!

I have realized that this has recently gotten some attention since quarantine started. So I am also giving you a homeschool visual schedule to be able to use as well. These are trying times, so just know that I am here for you! You got this!