As any parent knows, getting kids to follow routines can sometimes feel like an endless power struggle. Whether it's the morning routine before school, bedtime, or everyday tasks like cleaning up, the back-and-forth negotiating and raised voices are exhausting for everyone.
The good news is there's a simple tool that can help defuse these battles: visual schedules and social stories. By breaking down expectations through visuals rather than just verbal instructions, you can reinforce routines in an easy to digest format that kids can relate to.
Visual schedules reinforce routines in a format kids can understand:
For instance, say your child always fights getting ready for bed, dragging out the process until everyone is frazzled. You could create a social story using Ella — an app that generates stories and visual routines — with personalized pictures illustrating each step like putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, picking out books for story time, etc.
Rather than issuing directives like "Okay, time to get ready for bed now!" which kids often instinctively push back against, you can read through the visual story together. Since it's an engaging visual format rather than just verbal orders, you're more likely to capture their attention. They can see and discuss what's expected in a neutral way rather than feeling challenged. It opens up a dialogue rather than confrontation.
Creating customized visual aids used to be time-consuming, but Ella makes it quick and easy. Just input the routine details, kid's interests, etc., and it auto-generates illustrated schedules in seconds.
With preparation so easy, visual schedules become a feasible solution for any routine issues. Guide your kids through expectations calmly using visuals rather than orders that prompt pushback. Turn conflicts into productive dialogues.
