RoutiniusQuick answer: A first-then board shows two pictures side by side: the task your child needs to do first, and the thing they want that comes then (“first shoes, then park”). Point to each picture as you say it, keep the first task short, and always follow through with the “then”. It’s a simple way to make a sequence visible, and a natural first step toward a full visual schedule.
Why it works
Many children find it hard to start something they don’t want to do, especially when they can’t tell when it will end. A first-then board answers that question with two pictures: this, and then the thing you’re looking forward to. It’s widely used by parents, teachers and therapists, including in autism and ADHD support, because it makes “later” concrete.
How to make one
Paper (free)
- Take a card and draw a line down the middle. Write First on the left and Then on the right.
- Make small picture cards for common tasks (shoes, toilet, teeth, tidy up) and rewards (park, tablet, snack, bubbles). Photos of your child’s real things work well.
- Attach the cards with Velcro or put them in clear pockets so you can swap them.
On a phone or tablet
Apps can show a first-then pair as two big pictures, sometimes with a timer on the first part. In Routinius, a two-step routine (for example Shoes on → Park) works as a first-then board: the first step fills the screen with its animated picture and timer, and the “then” waits underneath in its own colour.
How to use it
- Choose a short first task your child can manage. Success early matters more than a hard task.
- Choose a “then” they really want, available right after.
- Show the board and say it simply: “First shoes, then park.”
- Point to the first picture if they get stuck. Fewer words is better.
- Follow through as soon as the first part is done, every time.
Moving from first-then to a full schedule
When first-then works reliably, add a third step (“first shoes, then coat, then park”). Over time that becomes a visual schedule for a whole routine. Many children use both: a full schedule for the morning, and a quick first-then board for one-off moments like leaving a playground.
Tips from everyday use
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Use the same words as school or therapy | Consistency across places helps |
| Keep the “then” real | If the park isn’t happening, don’t show it |
| Use a timer for the first task when it drags | Seeing time pass helps; try our free visual timer |
| Don’t use it only for hard tasks | Pair it with fun “firsts” sometimes too |
If you work with an occupational therapist or teacher, show them your board; they can tailor the pictures and steps to your child.