Great Start Readiness Program - Kent ISD

First/then can be a verbal or visual cue to teach or remind your child that first they need to complete a task (which may be less desirable) before they can engage in a more desirable activity.

Examples:
–First, brush teeth, then read books
–First, clean up toys, then go play outside
–First, put your dishes in the sink, then play with the dog

You can make first/then visuals like the one on the slide to help your children see the transition. Visit challengingbehavior.org and search the resource library for “first then” for the visuals you can use!

What are some of the first-then statements you have used or plan to use with your own children?



Video description:
Animated educational video titled ‘Transitions: First, Then’. The first slide shows a visual card with two sections labeled ‘First’ and ‘Then’. A picture card labeled ‘brush teeth’ is in the ‘First’ section, and a picture card labeled ‘Read a Book’ is in the ‘Then’ section. Additional picture cards are present representing ‘Get Dressed’ and ‘Indoor Play’. The second slide in the video shows an image of a child putting wooden toys into a basket with the text, ‘First/then can be a verbal or visual cue to tell your child what you expect them to do before they can engage in a more desirable activity.’ There is also an image of a dad with a speech bubble saying, ‘First clean up…’ The third slide completes the sentence in a speech bubble, ‘...then we’ll go to the park’. Images of the dad and a male child walking to the park, sitting on a blanket, and sharing a hug are stacked on the right of the slide with the text, ‘This sets clear expectations and may increase your child’s motivation to complete the less desirable task.