Sometimes a child is trying so hard to tell us something, and the words just are not there. They may need a break, want help, feel hungry or be upset about a change. We see the frustration building, but we do not always know what they are trying to say.
As a special education teacher, that is one of the hardest things to watch. Many of the children I work with are autistic and do not use spoken words to communicate. I never want a child to feel that they have to get more upset before someone understands them.
That is why I made these bilingual visual icon lanyard cards. Each card has a colorful picture, an English word or phrase at the top and Spanish at the bottom. I can keep them close to me and show a child a few choices when words are difficult. Parents can use the same cards at home, so a child sees familiar pictures in both places.
Living and teaching in Arizona, I know how important it is to have English and Spanish visual cards ready. A child may hear Spanish at home and English at school, or adults in their life may be more comfortable using one language than the other. I do not want a language difference to make it harder for a family to connect with their child or for a child to be understood. The picture gives everyone a shared starting point, while the words help us use the language that feels familiar.
Download the free printable lanyard cards
You can download my free bilingual visual icon lanyard cards below. The printable has two pages with 40 colorful cards in English and Spanish. Print them, cut them out and laminate them if you plan to use them every day.
Download the free printable cards – one and two
What is on the visual icon cards?
The set includes everyday needs such as bathroom, water, snack, help, break and all done. There are also cards for classroom routines, including clean up, listen, look, wait, line up, lunch and recess.
Some of the visual lanyard cards give me a simple way to show a direction, such as feet on floor, shoes stay on, hands to self and first work, then play. I also included choices and phrases children may want to communicate, like no thank you, my turn and your turn. A picture can make that exchange feel clearer for everyone.
Keep the feelings cards separate
This is the part I especially want to share with other teachers and parents: keep the emotion cards on a separate ring or in an easy to reach spot. The set includes happy, sad, angry and tired. If I notice a child beginning to struggle, I want to find those pictures immediately. I do not want to flip through a whole stack while they are getting more frustrated.
For children who also need sensory support, you can read my ideas for sensory toys for autism and ADHD.
I can hold up two feelings cards and ask, “Are you feeling sad or angry?” Then I can show help, break or another card that fits what they need. A child might point, look at a picture or hand me a card. It does not have to be a perfect interaction. The point is to give them a way to be heard as early as possible.
If you are working on emotional skills at school, I also have a guide to social emotional IEP goals.
You may want to have a Warm pals ready if they need to de escalate. These weighted plushes are great for comfort and pressure.
How I use the cards on my lanyard
I print the two pages, cut out the cards and laminate them so they can handle a school day. Then I punch a hole near the top of each card and put the everyday cards on a small ring attached to my lanyard. I keep the feelings cards together on their own ring.
When I use a card, I try to show just one or two pictures at a time. Too many choices can be a lot to take in, especially when a child is already upset. I say the word, show the picture and give them time to respond. Sometimes I also use the card to tell them what is coming next, such as first work, then play.
The English and Spanish labels are helpful in classrooms and homes where both languages are used. Even if a child is not reading the words yet, the picture stays the same, and the adults around them can use consistent language.
A small way to make communication easier
These bilingual visual communication cards will not tell me everything a child is feeling. I still have to slow down, pay attention and get to know what each child is communicating in their own way. But having a picture ready can open a door when speech is hard or unavailable.
If you are a teacher or parent trying to connect with a child who cannot easily tell you what they need, I hope these bilingual visual icon lanyard cards make one part of your day a little easier. More than anything, I hope they help a child feel understood.
If you are preparing to talk with your child’s school about communication supports, my IEP meeting checklist for parents may help you get organized.
