The best way to foster children's autonomy: how to use visual cues every day
23 September, 2019
Let's face it: as parents, we all try, somehow, to achieve a certain family balance. We try in a thousand and one ways to make ourselves heard, to ensure that our instructions are followed. If we could repeat ourselves a little less each day, daily life would seem much sweeter. What if Nathan thought about bringing home his homework notebook every day? What if Leah was ready on time every morning without a reminder? What if the playroom stayed tidy? What if the kids learned to really clean their rooms? Once again, Les Belles Combines offers you their help by proposing an almost foolproof method: visual cues. Here's how our tools promote children's autonomy by placing a host of small visual cues all over the house.
Time Cues
Time is a very abstract concept for little ones. Yesterday, tomorrow, soon, in five minutes – it's all the same in their minds! The monthly and weekly family planners will help them orient themselves in the day, week, and even month. By using magnets, these small pictograms that mark tasks, appointments, and activities, as well as holidays and special occasions, children learn to navigate time without our help. Moving the little "Today" star allows them to become aware of time passing, but also to see what the current day is made of. Furthermore, the famous Time Timer is the perfect complement to Les Belles Combines tools: it easily communicates to children the time available to complete a task and can be used in conjunction with the routine bracelet or when carrying out a small mission.
Spatial Cues
The toy tidying-up "operation" often turns into a toy "camouflage operation." The result: we end up with a toy box or storage bins filled with everything and anything. Implementing a visual storage system helps avoid this endless chaos. Labeling each storage bin in the playroom provides cues for children and allows them to put each toy in the right place! Our new storage label collection is not only practical but also MAGNIFICENT! Are you more of a spice or Scandinavian type? Cues to remember how to do things
At the risk of repeating myself, parents must become experts in modeling. We often delegate tasks or responsibilities to children without having provided them with a concrete model. Yet, this step is crucial. After performing the task in front of them and then with them, it's best to leave them a small visual cue of the major steps to perform. For example, the small sticker sequences will be very useful to help your children remember each step of a well-done wash, a properly made bed, or breakfast; from preparation to cleaning.
Cues as Reminders
If your children are learning a new series of actions, such as a morning routine, it's best not to rely solely on their memory for them to succeed. For a while, give them a visual cue so they can think of everything themselves. This approach will surely boost their self-confidence. The My Morning Routine reminder bracelet or My School Bag are excellent tools to help little ones remember everything.
Cues to Mark Our Expectations
There are many rules in our children's lives. There's everything that needs to be done at home, but there are also the expectations of teachers and childcare providers. It's better to prioritize visual cues over words when introducing new instructions. Our posters such as Before Turning on a Screen or The Rules of Our Craft Corner will give your children easy access to the rules to follow!
For other tools and ideas that will foster the development of autonomy in your little ones as well as your older children, click here!
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