Kid Routine & Play

  Teaching everyday skills like handwashing can feel overwhelming, especially for children with autism. That’s why we created a printable  Autism-Friendly Handwashing Visual Chart  that’s more than just cute. It’s calm, clear, and designed with real sensory needs in mind. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, this tool is made to help children feel more confident, independent, and safe during routine transitions. Why Color and Visual Design Matter for Autistic Learners Many autistic children experience the world through intense sensory input. Bright colors, cluttered images, or inconsistent visuals can easily lead to overwhelm. Research shows that when we use calming, structured visuals, it helps children feel more secure and focused. That’s why we carefully selected a soft, autism-supportive color palette for this chart: Soft blue  (calming and non-stimulating) Muted green  (grounding and reassuring) Warm beige  (neutral and comforting) Light...

  Telling a toddler “no” isn’t easy. And hearing “no” is even harder for them. That one small word can trigger big feelings — and without the words to explain their emotions, toddlers often cry, yell, or even throw things. That’s why I created this calm-down story: “When Someone Says No – A Social Story for Toddlers.” It’s a gentle, visual printable that comes in two helpful formats: ✔ A full-size  US Letter version  (8.5" x 11") ✔ A  mini size version  (5.5" x 8.5") that’s perfect for travel, calm-down corners, or little hands 💡 Why I Made This Story (and How It Helps) I created this story because I saw what many of us experience every day — toddlers overwhelmed by the word “no.” As a parent, RECE, or early educator, we say “no” to protect, guide, and teach. But toddlers often hear “no” and feel confused, scared, or rejected. This social story helps bridge that gap. It gives toddlers a calm, visual way to: Understand what “no” means Recognize the big feelin...

  Because summer doesn’t need to be busy to be beautiful. Remember those childhood summers when the days felt endless? Sticky fingers from popsicles. Running through sprinklers. Drawing chalk roads on the driveway and riding bikes until dinner. It wasn’t full of screen time or structured activities. Just simple moments. And those moments? They mattered. Today’s toddlers don’t need more stimulation. They need more space to explore , gentle routines , and unstructured play . And the good news is—you don’t need to over-plan to make that happen. This summer, let’s bring back that calm, creative, screen-free magic—with a toddler-friendly twist. 🌿 1. Set a Gentle Summer Rhythm (Not a Schedule) Toddlers thrive on predictability. But summer doesn’t have to feel like a classroom. Instead of scheduling every hour, try creating a loose daily rhythm using visual routines: Wake up Breakfast Outdoor play Snack + quiet activity Storytime Free play or sensory bin ...

 Summer often brings shifting routines — later mornings, travel days, and lots of transitions between meals, naps, play, and outings. That’s a lot for toddlers to process. Here’s how visual schedule cards help: ✅ Keep a sense of  routine and structure  even when plans change ✈️ Support smoother  travel or vacation days 🧠 Give toddlers a visual “map” of their day (no more surprise transitions!) 🏡 Help at home, daycare, or when visiting relatives 📅 Build independence and reduce power struggles 🎁 Try a Free Mini Routine Card Sampler To help you get started, I’ve created a  free printable sampler  with 6 essential toddler routines: 🦷 Brush Teeth 🚽 Toilet Time 🛌 Wake Up 🍎 Snack Time 🍽 Lunch Time 🛁 Bath Time ➡️  Download the Free Sample Here 🧩 What’s Inside the Free Download Your download includes: 6 square routine visuals Print-and-go format Easy cutting lines + usage instructions Perfect for summer mornings or evenings at home, on the go, or eve...

 As a home daycare provider and RECE, I’m always looking for practical tools that help toddlers feel calm, confident, and ready to follow routines. I use these every day — both at home and in my daycare — to support independence, transitions, and emotional regulation. The best part? You can find them all on Amazon Canada! ✅ 1. QUOKKA Magnetic Chore & Routine Chart for Kids This is the best visual routine chart I’ve used that balances simplicity, structure, and affordability. The  QUOKKA Magnetic Chore Chart  helps toddlers and preschoolers track daily tasks while also building responsibility. It includes magnetic reward circles and works great for routines like “brush teeth,” “get dressed,” and “tidy up.” ⭐ 4.3 stars (1,900+ reviews) 🏆 2024 Product of the Year – Creative Child Awards 📦 100+ bought this month | Free delivery 💰 Around $29.99 CAD Why I love it: It’s visual, clear, and super encouraging for toddlers. I’ve seen kids beam with pride when they earn stars ...

Toilet Training Made Easier: Why Visual Charts and Rewards Help Toddlers Learn Faster Toilet training is one of those big toddler milestones that can feel overwhelming — for both parents and little ones! But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right tools and a bit of encouragement, your child can learn to use the toilet with more confidence and independence. This blog will walk you through: When to start potty training How to gently support toddlers through the process Why visual routine charts and reward tools can make a huge difference What’s included in our Toilet Time Visual Routine Kit and how each piece helps 🚽 When Should You Start Potty Training? Every child is different — and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But most toddlers show readiness signs between  18 months to 3 years old . Here are a few clues your child might be ready: Pulls at a wet diaper or asks to be changed Can stay dry for 2 hours or more Notices when they’re peeing or pooping Trie...

📝  When I Feel Sad – A Visual Calm-Down Story for Toddlers Big feelings like sadness can be hard for little ones to understand. That’s why I created this gentle, toddler-friendly visual story to help children recognize sadness and learn simple ways to feel better. In this story, we follow a child who feels sad when plans change, when they miss someone, or when things feel confusing. Through soft visuals and calm words, the story shows that it's okay to feel sad — and offers ways to feel safe and supported, like taking a break, cuddling a soft toy, or asking for a hug.  💛 What This Story Helps With: Recognizing sadness in the body Naming and expressing emotions Finding calm-down strategies Learning that sadness is normal and safe to express ✨ Includes Reflective “I Wonder…” Questions: The printable version also includes gentle  “I wonder…”  questions that help toddlers and preschoolers reflect on their feelings in a safe and open-ended way. These questions invite c...

Big feelings like anger can be hard for little ones to handle. They might yell, stomp, or throw toys, not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re still learning how to express themselves. This gentle printable story,  "When I Feel Angry,"  is made just for toddlers and preschoolers who need support understanding what’s happening inside their bodies, and what they can do to calm down. I use this story with my home daycare kids, and it really helps! You can read it before tough moments or after a meltdown as part of a calming routine. 📘 What’s in the Story? Normalizes anger in toddler-friendly language Includes physical cues (tight body, hot face) Offers simple calming tools like breathing, fidgets, and asking for help Encourages practice and self-awareness Designed with big visuals, easy-to-read text, and a calm tone 👀 Peek Inside: Here’s a look at some of the pages: “Sometimes I feel angry. That’s okay. Everyone feels angry sometimes.” “When I feel angry, my body gets t...

  As parents and educators, we often focus on helping young children feel happy, calm, and successful. But what about the days when they feel... sad? Sadness is a real, valid emotion — even for toddlers. And yet, many little ones don’t have the words (or tools) to express what’s happening inside when tears come or moods shift. That’s exactly why I created  “When I Feel Sad – A Toddler Social Story.” 🧠 Why I Made This Book I noticed something while running my home daycare: toddlers know when they’re upset… but they often don’t know  why or what to  do  about it. This story was designed as a gentle guide — not just to say “it’s okay to feel sad,” but to actually help little ones: Recognize how sadness feels in their body Understand where sadness might come from Know that it happens to everyone (even grown-ups!) Try simple, healthy ways to feel better 📘 What’s Inside The book follows a simple storyline using toddler-friendly language and soft visuals. Some pages ...

  🧸 Tools We Use to Support Toddlers at Home & Daycare These are the top toddler-tested tools I personally use in my daycare to support daily routines, emotions, and potty training. If you find them helpful, you can check them out on Amazon using the links below. ⏳ Visual Timer for Toddlers This 60-minute visual timer shows time passing in a clear, toddler-friendly way. It's perfect for clean-up time, transitions, and calm-down moments. 👉  Check out the timer on Amazon 🚽 Foldable Travel Potty Seat This compact potty seat is our go-to when we’re out and about. It folds easily, fits in a diaper bag, and gives toddlers the comfort of a familiar routine on the go. 👉  See the potty seat on Amazon ⭐ Reusable Reward Sticker Chart We use this dry-erase reward chart alongside our printable potty and routine kits. It helps toddlers stay motivated and feel proud of their progress. 👉  Browse the reward chart on Amazon 🤲 Sensory Fidget Tools Kit These fidgets are part o...

 Potty training can feel like a huge task — but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be stressful. I’ve supported many toddlers through this stage in my home daycare, and I’ve learned that having clear visuals, a consistent routine, and a few key products can make a big difference. In this post, I’m sharing  three must-have potty training tools  that I truly recommend — plus a  free printable potty training kit  and a  visual routine sampler  to help you get started at home! 🎁 Grab Your Free Potty Training Kit + Visual Sampler Before we get into the tools, make sure to grab your  free printable bundle ! When you sign up, you'll get: A  Potty Training Kit  with a visual potty routine chart, reward chart, and celebration certificate A  Visual Routine Sampler  to support daily routines at home or daycare These printables are easy to use and toddler-approved — I use them every day in my own home daycare. 👉  Click here to...