Visuals & Routines

Recently I was asked to present on Visuals and Routines.  Presenting on this required that I really reflect on why I use visuals, and how do I describe that to others.  So here's what I came up with.  Imagine yourself on the beach:  What do you see?  Sand? Water? Umbrellas?  Coconut drinks with a tiny flamingo straw?  Is there a cool breeze?  Do you have a great view of the ocean?  You see, the beach on the left is a completely different beach than the one on the right.  Visuals help others SEE what we MEAN!

 How does this apply to working with kids?  Sometimes, we say one thing, but their life experiences mean something else to them.  This is why we can say "clean up," and they just throw everything on the shelves without putting it where it actually belongs.  Visuals allow the children to know exactly how you expect it to look!  They help reduce anxiety, have no attitude, and they never get tired of saying the same thing!  This of the most chaotic part of your day (mine is coming back from lunch with my pre-k babies when the hallways are full with middle schoolers going to lunch, other grades going to the bathroom, transitioning to PE, etc.  It's rushed for us to get our littles out of the hallway without losing everyone.) 

 So, how do we combat the crazy?  M.A.P it out!  That means in a whole group setting Model what to do, Apply pictures, Practice, practice, practice!  I put visuals up in every center in my classroom.  Each one shows a picture of what the center looks like clean, and how to clean the center.  We say, "hands on top, everybody stop," take three balloon breaths, then say "We can clean up our mess!" after giving a friend a high five.  We decide what we're going to put up, work together, and check that the center looks like the picture.  On the left is an example of what's in each center in my classroom, just customized for each area.

Young children think in pictures because they can't read yet.  By adding pictures to routines for them you are helping them process language (and bonus: you're wiring the left and right hemisphere of the brain together - developing the child's whole brain).  

When children struggle to remember what comes next, I refer them back to the visuals.  The goal is that they will become independent in the process.  You'll literally be able to watch them run the classroom!

Visuals also include class jobs, picture schedules, social stories, classroom timers, etc and can be used in the classroom, the car, or at home.  Do you have a child that struggles with bedtime?  Make a picture schedule or a social story to help them with the routine.  Does your kid struggle to get everything they need for school and get out the door in the morning?  Make a visual checklist for them to use in the evening or morning.  Basically, use visuals anywhere the day is crazy, and remember to M.A.P. it out!