Visuals

     Circle sitters and circle carpets help children to know where to sit.  They also support children in understanding how much distance/space to maintain between themselves and their neighbors.

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* Note: Flexible seating is also beneficial.  See more information under the sensory friendly classroom page.

     Line up spots can be movable (poly spots or carpet sitters) or they can be shaped paper that is affixed to the floor using contact paper. If you have a student with a disability in your class, it can be helpful to make the characters shaped like a preferred character, letter, or color to increase buy-in during the teaching period.

     Line up spots are an incredibly useful tool as they can help keep teach children where to stand while they are waiting and also keep children from bumping into one another. If you have children in your classroom who get upset when other children bump into and touch them, these are wonderful at prevention and teaching/talking about personal space.

Teaching the use of line up spots takes repetition and practice that might include:

• Giving clear directions (stand on the red circle)

• Modeling

• Singing a line up song during the transition (remember that preschoolers have short attention spans)

     If a play shelf/area is currently closed, a good way to let young children know is to cover it up.  If you are crafty, you can sew a custom size cover.  If not, use a sheet or some bulletin board paper.  Both work just as well.

     Label your shelves and bins with pictures and words. If kids (or substitute teachers) have to guess where the items go, they definitely aren't going to return to the right spot.

Bonus: labeling with pictures supports matching skills and early literacy skills.

Resource: Create your own classroom labels here

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Tips to Make Clean Up Easier with All Children

• Make it fun (Clean to music, make it into a game like who can clean an area fastest or make baskets into the toy bin)

• Give short, clear directions. (Put the food in the cabinet)

• Use gestures if needed (Point to where things go)

• Partner kids together to help each other

     Visual schedules and routines support children in learning several really important things:

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• Understanding the passage of time through routines  (eg:  my dad picks me up after outdoor play time, circle time is after free play, etc.)

• Schedules teach sequencing.  First we do this, then this, and so on.

• Visual schedules teach children independence.  A child can independently check their schedule and know what comes next.

     Visual schedules are especially supportive for young children who experience separation anxiety and disabilities such as autism.   

     Story time visuals, such as flannel board pieces, can make circle and story time a lot more fun and engaging for all preschool children.  However, for young children who are not yet using words, visuals such as flannel pieces can increase a child's ability to participate.