After School Routine Visual Supports

A calm and flexible visual support set to help children move from school to home with more clarity, confidence, and ease.

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Overview

After school can be one of the hardest parts of the day.

Children may come home tired, hungry, overwhelmed, or unsure of what comes next. This visual support set is designed to make that transition clearer and more manageable by showing the child what to do, one step at a time.

These resources help reduce uncertainty, support calmer transitions, and build familiarity with after school routines in a way that is practical, respectful, and easy to use.

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Who It’s For

This resource may be helpful for:

• children who find the transition from school to home hard
• children who need help knowing what comes next after school
• children who benefit from visual reminders and predictable routines
• families wanting calmer afternoons at home
• teachers or therapists supporting after school transitions or home practice

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How This Can Help

These visual supports can help children:

• understand what happens after arriving home
• move through one step at a time
• reduce uncertainty after a busy school day
• build familiarity with repeated after school routines
• grow in confidence and independence over time

The goal is not to make afternoons rigid. The goal is to make the transition feel clearer, calmer, and more manageable.

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How to Start Using It

Start small.

Choose the version that best matches the child’s current needs. Some children may be ready for the full routine. Others may do better with a shorter version first.

Begin by showing the child the routine before the after school period begins. Point to the first step, complete the activity together, and then return to the schedule immediately.

You can use short phrases such as:

• “First take off shoes.”
• “Now wash hands.”
• “Next snack.”
• “Check the schedule.”
• “What comes next?”

Returning to the schedule right after each activity helps the child connect the visual with the real routine.

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Prompting Support

Start with the least amount of help the child needs.

You might begin with:

• modelling the step yourself
• pointing or gesturing to the schedule
• verbal prompts using short, clear phrases
• light physical guidance only if needed

If the child needs more support at first, guide more closely and reduce help over time as the routine becomes more familiar.

The aim is not perfect completion. The aim is growing understanding, familiarity, and confidence.

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Flexible Ways to Use It

You can use this resource in different ways depending on the child and the afternoon:

• tick each step with a non-permanent marker
• use the movable icons to build a custom routine
• use the simplified version after tiring school days
• use the blank pages to adapt the routine
• add the First-Then page when extra support or motivation is needed

This makes the resource easier to adjust for different children, different homes, and different after school needs.

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Format

This is a digital download.
No physical product will be shipped.

You can print the pages you need, laminate them if preferred, and reuse them as part of your after school routine.

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One Step At A Time

After school does not need to feel perfect.

Some afternoons will be smoother than others. Start with one version that feels manageable, keep the support visible, and repeat it consistently.

Small, predictable supports can help afternoons feel calmer over time.

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