CREATION OF VISUAL TOOLS

CREATION OF VISUAL TOOLS AND SCHEDULES  FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Hello folks here is a visual delight

Visual tools and schedules give information on

Ø  What is going to happen?

Ø  When something is going to happen?

Ø  What are the choices?

Ø  What is changing from the routine/schedule?

Ø  Who is coming?

Ø  What are you suppose to do?

Ø  What is happening that is new or/ different?

Ø  What are the sequences of events? and very important aspect of visual tools are , helps us in establishing "rules" they tell us what to do, what not to do , define rewards, and define consequences

In creating visual tools-

• use what the child understands quickly and easily,
• create tools that are universally understood ( for ex. traffic signs)
• keep it very simple
• flexibility in making visual tools according to needs of the child( for ex. a hyperlexic child process pictures better when you combine with words)
• the size of visuals should be handy and easy to work with
• the accessibility of visuals is very important, there should be hands on practice where the child goes and interact with them for understanding the structure and routine
• portability of visuals is key to success
• observe how the child responding to the tools you created
• implement them consistently and present  visual tools in all situations
• fading the visual tools for independency

Setting up visuals:

1. Store near the door, you don’t need to use visual in every part of the day , may be you consider to use them in certain part of the day( like when you work with him in one and one session)
2.  use according to relevancy( the waiting symbol to be shown to the child whenever he has hard time to wait for his turn)
3. want to stress again the accessibility of visuals or schedules are key to independency
4. The organization of visuals: The number of symbols and how they are arranged, whether it’s horizontal or vertical does not matter as long as the child understands. There are lots of ways to set up visuals up, most ones used by using board maker, and most of them using Velcro and blue tag. You can use real pictures, laminated pictures if the child needs to interact often with particular visual, sometimes simple photocopy ones and line drawings are some sort of help. you can use base for visuals cards with Velcro and blue tac, hard board, carpet piece, small folders, files, retractable devices,  badges,  and diaries etc

 



Implementation of visual strategies- Setting up implementing and using these visual strategies is the most important thing, the aim of using visual strategies not to be with the child for using visuals all the time but making the use them independently or on their own. Yes we set them up and we work with them to start with and to help them use these visual strategies, the idea is eventually guide them to understand the sequence of activities. The aim of visual schedule - children always not going to have adult showing them what to do instead gradually they should become independent. one more important aspect could be involving children in setting up visual schedule rather than following what is already in there  and demonstrating modeling how to use the

Specify children how to use the visual schedule by

-point out to children

-involving children in setting up schedule

-talk through the process, how to carry a schedule

-demonstrate and model how to use

-increase independent use

 Here guys I am pleased to share some models with you...

The above visual schedule clearly represents what to expect from the kid or in other words what the child expected to do. The schedule is not over crowded and illustrated with numerals for understanding the sequence. The child has easy accessibility to schedule and the pictures are simple and portable to handle. This format can be used as a individual or group schedule.

This is a simple visual representation for a child who has hard time waiting, this helps to understand, he needs to keep his hands quiet or in simple words" hands to yourself"

This is an interactive visual tool, where the child selects the weather cards by looking at the weather outside.

The visual schedule above represents the Circle time- and the sequence of activities the child going to do in circle time like London bridge is falling down, followed by sing a song and ringa ringa roses.

The above visual representation helps the child understand transition (first you wash hands and then eating, helps to anticipate consequences.)

The above visual schedule helps the child to understand the sequence of activities done in the school; you can make the child circle on the activity visual. You can use this as a choice board  in selecting activities. It can be used as self monitoring board also. It gives brief description to the parent about CHILDS classroom schedule.

 This is same as the above visual schedule, where the child allowed monitoring his schedule at home. The last two schedules helps to increase teacher and parent communication. 

Remember using visual tool is not a goal it is a teaching strategy ( I mean use visual strategies as a resource for communication independency)

Thank you

See you soon on another topic, take care