Photo Visual Schedule

Toddlers don't recognize a cartoon school bus as their school. They recognize their own front door, their nap mat, their sitter's face. This printable kit gives you blank photo frames for your child's actual day, plus a setup guide that shows you exactly what to photograph and how. It started as a board for one toddler who wanted to know when his mom was coming home.

What’s inside

18 printable pages and a 9-page guide

1. Week board, in a color version (school days and home days) and a plain version, 3 sheets each, with a "waiting" column for cards not in use
2. Day strips with all-done pockets: a 3-step "my day" strip, a 6-step school-day strip, a blank strip, and middle pieces to build strips up to 12 steps
3. Two first/then boards and a now/next sheet
4. 72 photo-frame cards: 36 large (2 inch photo window) in three colors for places, people and things you do, and 36 mini (1 inch)
5. 15 surprise (?) cards: 3 large and 12 mini
6. 6 today stars and 4 all-done pocket fronts
7. Setup guide: the shot list (about 20 photos), getting photos onto cards, printing and laminating, how to introduce each board, changes and trips, and common snags

How it works

1. Download the files and read the guide (about ten minutes).
2. Take the photos on the shot list, about 20 minutes around the house.
3. Print the pages at 100% scale, glue in your photos (printed 2 inches square; six fit on one 4x6 print), laminate, and add hook-and-loop dots (Velcro).

Sizes and format

• 4 PDF files: the printables and the guide, each in US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) and A4. Cards and slots are the same size in both.
• Every printable page has a 1 inch check ruler. Print at "Actual size" with background graphics on.
• Slots are sized for laminated cards: every large slot is at least 2.5 x 2.78 in, room for a 2.12 x 2.4 in card with a 1/8 in laminate edge.
• The photo frames are blank: you add your own photos. No clipart and no stock photos are included.
• Instant download. No physical item is shipped. Laminating pouches, hook-and-loop dots and photo prints are not included.

The files

• Printables, US LetterPDF, 18 pages, 2.7 MB
• Printables, A4PDF, 18 pages, 2.7 MB
• Setup guide, US LetterPDF, 9 pages, 625 KB
• Setup guide, A4PDF, 9 pages, 625 KB

Your license

For personal use with your own family, in your own home or homes: print as many copies as you need, and please don't share or resell the files. Teachers, clinicians and childcare providers: message us about a classroom license.