Visual Supports
Visual supports, such as photos, drawings, objects, gestures, and print and environmental cues, can help. They are sometimes paired with verbal explanations. They help children know what to do, learn new skills, and feel included. Visual strategies are considerate of diverse learners.
Visual Timers -- These are helpful for when you want a child to focus on a task for a specific amount of time. After child completes the task, allow them to have a 5 minute break before next task. This can be for learning time, screen time, brushing their teeth ect.
(I use the light up timer in the classroom) |
Calming Bottles -- When your child is upset, have them "take a break" in a comfy place until the glitter settles to the bottom. This allows you and them to have a few minutes of space before working together to figure out a solution. Humans are unable to make rational decisions or effectively problem solve when they are in a heightened emotional state.
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Social-Emotional Learning Posters -- These posters allow children to see what their faces look like. They allow a child to point to a picture if they are unsure of what they are feeling or are non-verbal. Use these pictures to have a conversation with your child. You can say things like:
* I can see that ______. (face is scrunched, cheeks are red, tears, clenched fists) * It looks like you are feeling ____ because I can see that ____. * What made you feel _____. * What would make you feel better? * How can we fix this problem? * What solutions can we come up with to fix this problem? (For non-verbal children you could show your child pictures of different solutions and have them point to the picture ex. sharing, taking turns, choosing a different toy, taking a break) |