Visual timetables

[Lookslikerain]

I'm going to try a visual weekly calendar/timetable for my DS. I tried a very basic version last year but he didn't get it, so I gave up. Now I think his understanding has come on enough that it would work. I also think it might be good for getting him to see that he can help make decisions about what we do. And in stimulating conversation with DH about what we did during the day.

Do any of you know of any good websites where I could download a template? Or am I better making my own, taking my own pictures etc? I did some googling last night but there were loads of hits, so I cheekily thought maybe one of you could point me in the direction of a good one you've used. Thanks.

Think doing your own will be better. It was for us, anyway.

The off-the-shelf ones are often quite complex, and any 'extras' at all will mask the useful bits.

We used 'morning-routine' pictures, then added in 'daily-schedule' for a while before trying to generalise it to a weekly timetable. On monthly now

Hi looks I have had real success with visual timetables with Dd3. We make our own, she can read well so we use written instructions broken down into small chunks eg. Get dressed, have breakfast, brush teeth etc.

You could easily do the same with photos and your Ds might relate to the pictures better if he was in them.

I included Dd3 in the making proccess to give her some ownership of the timetables, we have one for morning and one for showering.

You might need a laminator to stop the bits going tatty very quickly.

Good luck

I bought some loop fabric and covered a big board, then used laminated pictures and words to make ours. DD was more interested in ripping off the pictures than using it though.... I have tons of loop fabric leftover if anybody wants me to chuck some in the post btw.

Thanks all for your replies.

I (bravely) ventured to hobbycraft this afternoon with DS and DD for some supplies and have had a go at making my own. I just used card and velcro but it looks ok. I agree that having a laminator would make it a bit sturdier. We'll use this one as a trial run and make any improvements with version 2, which hopefully by then I'll be able to laminate. I like the idea of using pictures with DS in them. He's only 3 so I think that would help him understand what it's for.

Just need to go round all the places we go and take some pictures now! Thanks again.

Have fun taking the pictures and well done for getting started.

Hope he starts to understand and respond to it

I agree, make your own... a strip of A3 card (going up & down rather than along) with velcro on it & make your own symbols/ photos.

If your DS is at school, will they help? We are also supplying parents with symbols for this sort of thing.

Sorry, he's 3

Photos are lovely. Have fun

Grockle, check this site out
Here

Those are good moondog. We never, ever use timetables with times on, only the order of events. It means that the children know what will happen now, next & later on but avoids meltdowns from me because lunch started at 12.08 instead of 12.10 etc.

Yes indeed.
I introduce clocks and the concept of time much later on.
Apologies, thoguht you were the OP!

S'ok... I was just sticking my oar in