How to Create a Visual Schedule for Your Child

A visual schedule shows an agreed sequence using pictures, words or both. This guide starts with the morning cards above. You can use them for free, choose the cards that fit, and change their order before printing.

Start with one specific situation, and look through the pictures with the person who will use them. A ready-made example is a starting point; it should be possible to change it when the day or the person's needs change.

1. Choose the part of the day to show

Write down what actually happens in the situation. Will the schedule show the morning at home, getting out of the door, or just the next change of activity? Choose one manageable part to begin with.

If a whole sequence is too much to show, a now-and-next board is another format to try. It shows two chosen activities. You do not need to use every card from an example.

2. Choose cards and check what the pictures mean

Look at the morning cards above before printing. Do the pictures match your activities? A card showing a school bag is not automatically the right picture for nursery or a day at home.

• Keep the cards that make sense for your situation.
• Remove a card if that activity is not part of the plan.
• Choose another picture from the library if the example does not fit.
• Use short labels with concrete actions, such as “Eat breakfast”.

Look through the meaning together. Your child might respond by pointing, choosing, speaking or using another familiar way to communicate. One picture style or a particular number of cards will not necessarily suit everyone.

3. Edit the labels and order before printing

Choose Edit the cards before printing beside the example. You can select cards and adapt the material without creating an account first. Change the labels to the words you use, and put the cards in your own order.

For example, breakfast might come before or after getting dressed. If you are not going to school that day, leave out the school card or replace it. Let the sequence describe the actual plan.

Check the finished sheet: Are the labels readable? Are the pictures large enough? Does each card show the action you want to talk about? Open the PDF and look through the whole page before printing.

4. Print and look through the schedule together

Download the ready-made example as a free A4 PDF, or print the version you have adapted. Neither requires payment. Print the ready-made A4 sheet at 100% size, and cut out the cards only if you want to move them around.

Place the pictures where they can be seen and reached when needed. Introduce the sequence at a calm moment. You might point to the next card, turn over a finished card or move it aside, if that suits the way you use the schedule.

When the plan changes, update it and explain the change. Leave room to say no, ask questions or request a break. The schedule should describe and support the situation; it is not a rule that everything on the sheet must be completed.

5. Keep what is useful and adapt it next time

Save the PDF somewhere you can find it again. Reuse the same sheet if it still fits, rather than making a new one every day.

In the material workspace, you can choose Keep on this device to return to an editable draft. Local storage applies to the same browser; check the message about how long it is kept and whether saving succeeded. To open the material on other devices, you can choose to save it to your account. An account is optional for free editing and printing.

Look back together: Which pictures were used? Was a card misunderstood or missing? Change one specific thing at a time. If the schedule adds pressure or does not make sense, you can change it, take a break or choose another way to show the plan.

Free example or a personal character?

The morning cards above use Pictofy's ready-made character Noah. They are free to edit and print. The same material is available on the morning routine page.

If you would like a character you choose, see what the starter pack includes and its price. It is an optional one-time purchase with two personal pictogram packs that you choose yourself. A personal character changes the pictures; it does not guarantee that a particular schedule will suit someone better.

To begin with a different situation, browse the free print resources. Start with the material that fits the task you have now.