Using Visuals to Empower Our Children (free printable included)

Visual aids often rank high as a tool for productivity in children (and adults).  Visuals offer clear and concise directions for success.  They can allow for increased independence, which in turn can be very empowering for our children.  Just to clarify, we do not utilize rewards in our homes, these are simply visual aids that encourage independence and success.  

For some children, following a bed time schedule is easier than having Mom or Dad directing every move, and its also nice to have if you are trying to put multiple children to bed at the same time.

Bed time routine RL created for her middle daughter - bathroom, pajamas, brush teeth, books, stuffed chipmunk

It's not imperative that they do each step in succession, its just something that assists them along the way.  The routine is printed and laminated so it can be used each night.  The child checks off each task as its completed.

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Another tool that is fun and encourages independence is creating a packing list for our children to utilize prior to vacations, school days, camp, etc.  For children who are not reading, take pictures of each item that needs to be packed (or use clip art).  You can also have the child take an active role in creating the list - they can draw and/or write items to be packed.  This is the visual list I created for our upcoming trip.  The printable is simply a chart.  In the middle I added the picture and name of item to be packed and left the other two blocks blank.  If you laminate it, you can then write in the number (cause this may change from trip to trip) and the child can check off each item as he/she adds it to the bag.  Of course, the number of items are always negotiable. 

Left - visual list before numbers
Right - visual list with numbers written in

Visual packing list for my son.

Packing and checking off the list.

For a free bed time visual template click on the links below. 

The template includes a chart like you see above with 10 options for pictures. 

Letter Hike

It was (finally!) a beautiful day here in Atlanta, so before picking up my daughter I packed a picnic lunch and Furry Sister so we could spend the afternoon outside. We had a lovely picnic and played on the playground for a few minutes before going into the woods to run and jump and stop and twirl and sing and stop and skip and stop and run some more.


 

Exploring the woods

Looking deeply into nature

Then my daughter exclaimed, "Mom, look! There's an 'X'!" She was so excited. And sure enough, there on the ground was an 'X' made from tree roots. She looked around some more and found LOTS of different letters (A, J, L, N, R, T, V, X, Y) in the natural world around us. I smiled thinking about what a lovely moment to be reminded that everywhere is an opportunity for learning, for connecting, and for embracing the world around us.

The letter "X" (there were lots!)

The letter "V" (sideways)

The letter "r" ("and it's also an 'L' mom from this side!")

We did lots more climbing and playing too...

"R O A R !"

 

Furry Sister TJ explores the creek, then gets a bath at home

Sometimes we don't need to plan anything; planning can get in the way if we let it. We simply need to pay attention, to notice when these beautiful moments arise. It's incredibly freeing to know that our children are going to learn and grow and connect with us, and we only need to pay attention in order to see each opportunity.

Our Favorite Quotes

A collection of quotes and sayings.  We will be adding to this periodically.