Strategies to help

Start with a meaningful and realistic goal

Work with your child to choose a goal that matters to them. Make sure it’s achievable and appropriate for their current abilities.

Break the task into small steps

Help your child understand the task by breaking it down into clear, manageable steps. Use questions like what, when, where, why and how to help them think through the process.

Set small targets and create a way to track progress. For example, using a checklist or placing symbol cards into a “done” box when each step is completed.

Give instructions one step at a time

Support your child by giving one instruction at a time. Once they complete one action successfully, introduce the next. This approach is part of the backward chaining technique.

See the Backward chaining and MATCH advice sheet.

Use visual prompts and physical guidance

Visual schedules, such as photos of items to pack in a school bag, can help your child follow routines. You can also use physical guidance, like hand-over-hand support, to help them experience the correct movement.

Encourage your child to talk through what they’re doing as they complete each step. This helps reinforce learning and build independence.

Reinforce with regular practice

Use visual cues like tape, carpet squares or labels to support memory and organisation. Rehearse the task regularly to help your child retain what they’ve learned.

Start with simple two-step activities and gradually increase the complexity as they gain confidence.

Use chaining techniques to teach tasks

Backward chaining and forward chaining are useful ways to teach complex tasks. These techniques involve breaking the activity into smaller steps and helping your child complete them one at a time. Visual prompts like photographs or symbols can support each stage of the process.

Explore more ideas online

Visit the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde website for more offers ideas on Play and leisure.