Trust in the Schedule

How do I get my child to participate?

If you have ever worked with an SLP, teacher, or really any childhood provider, you’ve probably experienced implementation of “schedules.” Object, picture, visual, written, first-then, full day, activity steps, countdowns and more are all ways that we can structure our routines to make sense for our children. Who doesn’t like to be prepared for what’s coming next? But one thing I see sometimes occur is when we aren’t staying true to that schedule. If our kids can’t trust the schedule, it ultimately isn’t going to be an effective tool.

Schedule ≠ Reinforcer

A schedule is the predetermined order of events for the day. A reinforcer is something that the child is working towards. An agreed upon “deal” to receive something preferred in exchange for completing the task at hand, in the manner requested. If you want to implement a reinforcer, make it separate from the schedule. The schedule should be fixed, regardless of how “well” one event goes. For example, things like “school” “car” “home” “dinner.” Those things are going to occur. “Tablet time” or “dessert” may be dependent on other factors.

First-Then/If-Then/When-Then

There are a lot of thoughts on the nuances language behind this popular 2 step sequence structure, which I won’t get into today. But whichever you are using, be sure you are staying true to it. First-then can be incredibly powerful to facilitating immediate expectation and action – so long as it can be trusted. If a child wants their tablet time, and you tell them “First get dressed, then tablet.” So they get dressed. Then its “first breakfast, then tablet.” So they eat. Then it’s “first shoes, then tablet.” Still no iPad. They’re going to stop trusting the system.

Scheduled “breaks”

People can be hesitant to implement breaks, stating it’s so much harder to get their child back on task following a break. But once again, they have to know they can trust the break. It doesn’t have to be a big break – for example, taking 10 seconds after doing 1 math problem. Count down from 10, have the option for them to sit quietly, hold a preferred toy, take a turn on a game, etc. Something quick and in place but consistent. As long as they trust they’re definitely getting another break shortly, it will support ongoing participation.