Tag: education

How to Teach Waiting to Nonverbal Students.

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Visual Supports for Waiting in Early Childhood Special Education

Waiting is one of the hardest skills for young learners to master, especially for nonverbal children in Special Education. When a child cannot understand the spoken word the idea of “wait” can feel confusing, frustrating or even impossible.

This is where the visual supports help turn spoken words into something students can see. For many learners, visuals are easier to process than language alone. They make expectations clearer, reduce anxiety, and help students feel more confident about what comes next.

What Is Wait Time?

One simple way to use visuals that makes a big difference is during wait time.

Wait time is the pause after you ask a question or give a direction. For some students, especially those with autism, processing language takes a little longer. When adults rush in with prompts or repeat directions too quickly, students may lose the chance to respond independently.

How Visual Cue Cards Help

Visual wait time cards give students a clear signal that it’s okay to pause and think. Instead of filling the silence with more words, the visual does the talking.

These cards help students understand:

  • What they should be doing
  • That a response is expected
  • That help will come, just not yet

Waiting becomes predictable instead of stressful.

Easy Visual Wait Time Tools Teachers Love

“Wait” cards use a simple word or symbol to remind students to pause.

Visual timers or countdown cards show how long the wait will last.

Thinking time cards let students know it’s okay to take a moment before answering.

Turn-taking visuals clearly show whose turn it is during games or group work.

Classroom Tips for Success

  • Teach the visual during calm moments
  • Pair it with a brief verbal cue, then stay quiet
  • Avoid repeating directions while the visual is shown
  • Praise the act of waiting, not just the final response

For more resources for behavior management click here!

Why Token Boards Became My Classroom Secret Weapon

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(And How I Use 3, 5, and 10 Token Boards to Support Every Learner)

There was a time in my classroom when motivation felt like a moving target. One student needed constant reminders, another shut down halfway through a task, and my AAC users were clearly trying to tell me something I hadn’t quite figured out yet.

Then I pulled out a token board!

Not a flashy one. Not complicated. Just a clear, visual way to show expectations, progress, and success. And honestly? It changed everything.

What Is a Token Board and Why It Works

A token board is a visual behavior support tool that helps students see their progress toward a goal. Instead of abstract reminders like “almost done” or “keep trying,” students can see how close they are to earning a reward or preferred activity.

For my Special Education students, AAC users, and visual learners, that clarity made all the difference.

Token boards support:

Positive behavior reinforcement

Task completion

Self-regulation and emotional regulation

Motivation for nonverbal and AAC users

Clear expectations in the classroom

Why I Use 3, 5, and 10 Token Boards

Not all students need the same level of support, and that’s where differentiated token boards come in.

3-token boards are my go-to for:

  • Early learners
  • Students new to behavior supports
  • Quick tasks and instant reinforcement

5-token boards work beautifully for:

  • Building stamina
  • Short work sessions
  • Transitional activities

10-token boards are perfect for:

  • Longer tasks
  • Goal-setting
  • Students ready for delayed reinforcement

Editable Visual Choices Matter (More Than You Think)

One of the biggest game-changers in my classroom was using editable token boards with visual choices.

When students can see their motivators, whether it’s a favorite activity, sensory break, or preferred item, engagement skyrockets. This is especially powerful for:

  • AAC users
  • Autistic students
  • Students with limited expressive language

Visual choices give students a voice before they even place the first token.

How Token Boards Support AAC and Special Education Classrooms

In AAC and Special Education settings, visuals are not extras. They’re access tools.

The Token board helps me:

  • Reduce verbal overload
  • Support receptive language
  • Create predictable routines
  • Reinforce communication attempts
  • Build independence over time

Instead of constant verbal prompting, the board does the talking. And students respond to that consistency.

A Real Classroom Win

Thoughts for other Teachers

If you’re feeling stretched, juggling behavior support, AAC needs, and a room full of learners who all need something different, start simple.

A clear token board, matched to the right level, with meaningful visual choices can turn chaos into calm and effort into progress.

Click here for more token board ideas

Fun and Easy Halloween Activities for Centers in Preschool and Kindergarten

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Halloween is such a magical time for young children, filled  with pumpkins, spooky decorations, and fun costumes. It’s also a perfect opportunity to introduce hands-on activities that engage kids’ imaginations, foster creativity, and support early learning. Here’s a couple of  easy Halloween activities and worksheet ideas for preschoolers and kindergartners to enjoy in the classroom or at home!

  1. PUMPKIN COLOR SORTING

A classic hands-on activity that helps with color recognition, sorting, and fine motor skills!

Materials Needed:

•Paper cut-out pumpkins in different colors (or small pumpkin toys)

•Small containers or bowls

How to Play:

•Have the children sort the pumpkins by color.

•Ask them to name the colors out loud as they sort them (e.g., “This one is orange!”).

You can increase the challenge by introducing a “mystery color” where kids have to find pumpkins that match a color you describe, like “Find the pumpkin that’s as yellow as the sun!”

Why It’s Great:

•This activity helps kids develop color recognition and basic sorting skills.

•It’s also a good exercise for hand-eye coordination.

2. BUILD A SCARY PUMPKIN FACE

Hands on activity that will help with shape recognition, fine motor skills, follow directions and shape orientation!

Materials needed:

•Cut out large pumpkins in different colors

•Prepare Small shapes (squares, circles, triangles, stars) card or paper.

•Bowls to hold the different shapes

•Paste/glue stick

How to play:

•Have children choose the color pumpkin they want to design.

•Let them choose the visual direction cue cards of what face they want to make.

•Offer the cut out shapes for them to paste to their pumpkin face following the direction cue card.

Why its great! This activity is great for shape recognition and manipulation, following instructions and fine motor skills.

3. CREEPY HALLOWEEN WORKSHEETS

Dressing up, what you want to wear, List your favourite Halloween games, List your favourite Halloween treats, Write a creepy story sheet, Color coded coloring sheet, Count and write the number of Halloween items they see.

Why they’re great!

fine motor skills, color recognition, writing skills, counting and number recognition

These Halloween activities and worksheets are easy, fun, and educational for preschool and kindergarten children. They provide opportunities for creativity, fine motor development, and early learning in a way that makes the holiday extra special. 

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Halloween Worksheets

Building a pumpkin face with shapes

FREE Halloween writing patterns

Empowering Independence with Visual Direction Cue Cards in Special Education

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Classroom management in a special education setting often requires creative, student-centered strategies that support diverse learning needs. One highly effective and versatile tool that special educators use is visual direction cards.

Visual direction cards are more than just classroom aides — they are tools that foster independence, reduce behavioral challenges, and create a more structured and inclusive learning environment.

What Are Visual Direction cue Cards?

Visual direction cards are simple, illustrated cues that provide clear, step-by-step instructions or expectations. They often use a combination of text and images or symbols to help students understand what is being asked of them, even if they struggle with verbal instructions or have limited language skills.

Examples include:

“Sit down”

“Raise your hand”

“Get your materials”

“Take a break”

“All done”

They can be printed on cardstock, laminated, attached to lanyards, placed on desks, or mounted on Velcro boards for easy access and use

Why Use Visual Direction Cards?

1. Promote Independence
Visuals allow students to process information at their own pace. Instead of relying on adult prompting, they can refer to cards to understand what to do next. This boosts confidence and helps them develop problem-solving skills.

2. Reduce Verbal Overload
Many students in special ed settings experience sensory processing or language delays. Visual directions minimize stress by providing clear, concise instructions without relying on verbal cues.

3. Support Positive Behavior
When expectations are clear, students are more likely to engage in appropriate behavior. Visual cards can be used proactively to guide transitions, routines, and self-regulation.

4. Increase Classroom Efficiency
With visual directions in place, teachers can spend less time repeating instructions and more time facilitating learning.

Grab a free Classroom visual Direction card

Strategies for Using Visual Direction Cards Effectively

1. Teach the Cards
Introduce cards one at a time during calm, structured parts of the day. Model the behavior and have students practice using them until they become familiar.

2. Make It Student-Centered
Personalize cards for individual needs. Some students may need large icons, others may benefit from first-person phrasing (“I need a break”), or even real photos instead of clipart.

3. Create a Visual Schedule
Use direction cards to build a daily schedule that students can follow independently. This supports executive functioning and helps reduce anxiety during transitions.

4. Pair with Reinforcement Systems
When students successfully follow visual directions, reinforce their efforts with praise, token boards, or other motivators. This strengthens the connection between visual cues and positive behavior.

5. Encourage Generalization
Use direction cards in different settings — during centers, specials, lunch, or community outings or for personal hygiene — so students learn to apply the skills beyond the classroom.

Visual direction cards may seem simple, but their impact is profound. They empower students with the tools they need to be more independent, confident, and successful in and out of the classroom.

As a special education teacher, your ability to adapt tools like visual cards can transform daily routines and build lifelong skills for your students.

Strategies for Teachers: Supporting Students In Special Education

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Every child has their own way of learning and as teachers, we play a powerful role in helping them feel safe, seen, and successful. Here are 5 strategies that I use to promote inclusive learning for my Special Ed Classroom.

1. In my Classroom we:

  • Offer choices in how students learn (visuals, hands-on, listening, movement).
  • Use visual schedules and clear routines to help reduce anxiety.
  • Allow extra time for transitions or assignments.
  • Create quiet spaces or “calm corners” for breaks.

2. We Celebrate Strengths by:

  • Focusing on what each student can do, not just where they struggle.
  • Share positive feedback often — even for small steps.
  • Highlight special interests to motivate learning (e.g., dinosaurs, trains, superheroes).
  • Encourage peer recognition of everyone’s strengths.

3. We Use Clear, Supportive Communication

  • Speak in simple language.
  • Give one instruction at a time, when needed.
  • Use visual aids (pictures, icons, charts) to support understanding.
  • Offer choices when possible (“Do you want to write with a pencil or a marker?”).

5. Friendship & Kindness

  • Build a classroom culture where differences are normal and celebrated.
  • Teach and model kindness, sharing and friendship . Use buddy systems to promote friendships and cooperative learning.
  • Read inclusive books and discuss different ways of thinking.

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