If you’ve ever found your child losing focus during a structured activity — or becoming anxious about what’s coming next — you’re not alone.
This week, during one of my PE sessions at a local SEND school, I was reminded just how powerful visual supports can be.
I’ve been refining the way I structure and deliver these sessions over the last few months. Each group of children I work with has a unique mix of needs, and I’ve been learning what helps make our time together calmer, more engaging, and more joyful.
One new tool I introduced this week was a visual timetable.
Nothing fancy — just a simple set of printed cards showing the key activities we usually do in a session. I choose about 5 or 6 for each lesson: a warm-up, a couple of main games or movement activities, some cool-down stretches, and then, of course, stickers (which are a big deal in my sessions!).
I peg them up at the start so everyone can see what’s coming.
And here’s where I saw the magic happen.
About 15 minutes into one session, one little girl wandered off and started rifling through my kit bags. She wasn’t being disruptive — she was just clearly preoccupied.
She was worried about one thing: when she would get her sticker.
It’s something I might’ve missed or brushed over in the past, but this time I was ready.
I walked over and gently pointed to our visual timetable. I showed her where we were in the session, and where the stickers came in — right after our stretches.
That simple moment of clarity made all the difference.
She felt reassured, regulated, and ready to rejoin the group.
These little moments are a reminder that our children often aren’t being “difficult”, they’re doing their best to navigate uncertainty, in the way that makes the most sense to them.
For some children, visual structure offers safety and calm. It’s one of the simplest ways to reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and help them feel in control.
If you’re supporting a neurodivergent child, you might find a visual timetable useful at home too, whether it’s for a PE-style activity, a daily routine, or even a favourite play sequence.
And if you’ve downloaded the Sensory Movement Toolkit, you’ll already know I’m a big believer in simple, visual, flexible tools.
If you’ve tried a visual timetable with your child, I’d love to hear how you got on.
And if you haven’t yet, it’s never too late to try.