Routine charts
A picture routine chart for kids who cannot read
A routine chart works for a non-reader when each step is a clear picture, the steps stay in the same order every day, and the child can see it from where the routine happens. Paper charts are cheap and work well at first. The usual failure is upkeep: they get stale, they fall off the wall, and they show the steps but not how much time is left.
What makes a picture chart work
A few simple rules do most of the work.
- One picture per step, with no text needed
- Four to six steps at most for a four-year-old
- The same order every day
- Hung at the child eye level, near where the routine happens
Why paper charts fade
Paper charts need a parent to maintain them: new pictures, stickers, ticking things off. When a busy week hits, the chart goes stale, and the child stops looking at it. A chart also does not show time left, so the deadline still arrives as a surprise.
Where OnCue fits
OnCue is a board that keeps the steps in pictures and adds a shrinking time bar to the deadline. It needs nothing from you after you set one time per routine. It is an iPad app for ages 3 and up, free to use, with a one-time $12.99 unlock for everything.
Common questions
How many steps should a routine chart have?
For a four-year-old, four to six steps is a good limit. More than that gets hard to follow.
Should the child tick off the steps?
It can help some children, but it also adds a task. A chart that simply stays in view works for many families.
Do I need to buy anything to start?
No. You can start with paper and pictures today. A board like OnCue is for families who want it always on and with a time bar.