PECS Daily Routine Cards
A set of routine cards so your child knows what comes next and can take part in everyday steps like waking up, brushing teeth, and washing hands.
- 3 cards
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
Daily routine cards help your child see and take part in the steps that repeat every day. This set covers wake up, brush teeth, and wash hands, the kind of small transitions that can be hard for a child who does better when they know what is coming. Pointing to the next card turns a vague instruction into a clear picture.
Print the cards on cardstock if you have it, cut them apart, and laminate each one or cover it with clear tape so they survive a steamy bathroom and wet hands. A hook-and-loop dot on the back lets you line the cards up on a board in the order the routine happens.
Use the cards the same way at the same time each day so the routine becomes predictable. Point to or hand over the brush teeth card right before you brush, and your child starts to connect the picture with the step. A steady routine is often calmer for everyone.
When to use this template
Best for the parts of the day that repeat, like the morning and bedtime routine, and helpful for a child who settles more easily when they can see what comes next.
How to customize this template
- Add the specific steps in your child's routine, like getting dressed, breakfast, or shoes on, so the board matches your real morning.
- Put the cards in the exact order the routine happens, then move each one as it is finished.
- Swap a symbol for a photo of your own bathroom sink or toothbrush so the step is instantly familiar.
Frequently asked questions
- How are PECS routine cards different from a visual schedule?
- They overlap. Routine cards are PECS cards your child can hand over to request a step, and you can also line them up in order to act as a simple visual schedule. Many families use the same cards both ways.
- What routines work best with these cards?
- The parts of the day that repeat are easiest: the morning routine, bedtime, and bathroom steps like washing hands. Start with one routine, get it steady, then add another once your child is following along.
- Are these daily routine PECS cards free?
- Yes. Download the print-ready PDF with no email required, or open the set in the free editor to add the exact steps in your child's day, reorder them, or swap in your own photos.
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