One of the most effective tools I've used in my Early Years classroom is a visual timetable. Using daily schedule cards can support young children a number of different ways either in classroom or at home; individually or as a part of a whole group routine. Like anything to be effective, you need involve the children in the use of the timetable.
![Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey]( "Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey")
Like most of my printables, I made these schedule cards for our daily routine because I couldn't find the one I wanted few years ago when I first looked for one to use one in class. I wanted one which was simple and clean looking with real photos rather than cartoons.
![Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey]( "Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey")
Visual timetables are often recommended for use in early childhood both at home and in educational settings but should be used as an interactive tool. Used consistently, they can help establish independence in young children. A daily schedule can also help young children connect the real and the abstract - what I am doing now compared to what I might do after lunch and allows prepositional language to be used in meaningful ways - first, next, before, after.
It can be a useful tool to help communicate tasks that otherwise might not be understood by every child. The cards all include an image and simple printed words which encourage children to read building on their growing understanding of the directionality of print. They also become more familiar with key words relevant to their day.
![ViVisual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey]( "Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey")
Using a visual timetable can also help reduce anxiety in young children. By using it daily and referring to it often especially when you first use it, you can help children understand how to 'read' it which allows them to become more independent and helps some individuals better prepare and cope with transitions. For children with Speech and Language difficulties including those for whom English is their second language or those who require extra processing time, having a visual to refer to as they need can also help them focus or refocus on the task at hand. Your visual timetable should always be visible. You can see mine is situated at the front of our classroom at a height every child can see.
![Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey]( "Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey")
Knowing that visual timetables need to be made to suit the child and the environment to be most valuable so I've also created some blank timetable cards with images only to allow people to add their own writing.
![Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey]( "Visual Timetable Cards - one of the most effective tools in early childhood. Why and how to use one at home or in the classroom | you clever monkey")
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Like most of my printables, I made these schedule cards for our daily routine because I couldn't find the one I wanted few years ago when I first looked for one to use one in class. I wanted one which was simple and clean looking with real photos rather than cartoons.
Visual timetables are often recommended for use in early childhood both at home and in educational settings but should be used as an interactive tool. Used consistently, they can help establish independence in young children. A daily schedule can also help young children connect the real and the abstract - what I am doing now compared to what I might do after lunch and allows prepositional language to be used in meaningful ways - first, next, before, after.
It can be a useful tool to help communicate tasks that otherwise might not be understood by every child. The cards all include an image and simple printed words which encourage children to read building on their growing understanding of the directionality of print. They also become more familiar with key words relevant to their day.
Using a visual timetable can also help reduce anxiety in young children. By using it daily and referring to it often especially when you first use it, you can help children understand how to 'read' it which allows them to become more independent and helps some individuals better prepare and cope with transitions. For children with Speech and Language difficulties including those for whom English is their second language or those who require extra processing time, having a visual to refer to as they need can also help them focus or refocus on the task at hand. Your visual timetable should always be visible. You can see mine is situated at the front of our classroom at a height every child can see.
Knowing that visual timetables need to be made to suit the child and the environment to be most valuable so I've also created some blank timetable cards with images only to allow people to add their own writing.
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