First Then Board: What It Is, How to Use It and Examples

A first then board is a simple visual support with two spaces side by side: “First” shows what is happening now, and “Then” shows what comes next. It helps a child understand a short sequence, such as “first shoes, then park,” and makes a less-preferred task easier because the next thing is visible. It is one of the easiest visual tools to make and use at home.

Below, you will learn how a first-then board works, how to make one, how to use it well, and plenty of everyday examples.

What Is a First Then Board?

A first-then board is a strip or small board divided into two parts, labeled “First” and “Then.” You place one picture card in each part. The child completes the first activity, then moves on to the second.

It is the smallest possible visual schedule. Because it only shows two steps, it is easy for young children to understand and quick to use in the moment. Parents, preschool teachers and therapists use first-then boards with toddlers, preschoolers, autistic children, children with ADHD traits and children who are still learning language.

Why First-Then Works

Young children often live in the present. Asking a toddler to stop playing and get dressed can feel like the fun is ending for good. A first-then board shows that something good or familiar comes next.

It helps by:

• Making sequences concrete. Two pictures are easier to understand than a sentence.
• Reducing repeated instructions. You point instead of repeating yourself.
• Showing that the preferred activity is coming. Not “no park,” but “park after shoes.”
• Supporting transitions. The next step is visible before it happens.
• Building toward longer schedules. Once first-then makes sense, you can add a third card.

How to Make a First Then Board

You need very little:

1. Cut a base. A strip of card stock about the size of a sheet of paper cut in half lengthwise works well.
2. Divide it in two. Draw a line down the middle and write “First” on the left and “Then” on the right.
3. Laminate the base. This makes it durable and wipeable.
4. Add hook-and-loop dots. One in each half, so picture cards can be swapped.
5. Make picture cards. One activity per card, with a clear picture and a short label.
6. Store the cards nearby. A pocket on the back of the board keeps them handy.

For a detailed look at materials and lamination, see how to make a visual schedule and how to laminate routine cards.

First Then Board Printable Ideas

If you prefer printables, look for picture cards with clear, simple images and editable labels. Our editable toddler daily routine cards can be used on a first-then board, since you can change each label to match your family’s words. Print two copies of the cards you use most so they are always ready.

How to Use a First Then Board

1. Choose the “first” activity. Usually the task that needs to happen, such as hand washing or putting on shoes.
2. Choose the “then” activity. Something your child enjoys or naturally follows, such as snack or outside.
3. Show the board and say it simply. “First shoes, then park.” Keep the same words each time.
4. Point to “first” while your child does it. Offer help if needed.
5. When “first” is done, remove the card. Point to “then”: “Shoes done. Park!”
6. Follow through right away. The board only works if the “then” really happens.

Keep “Then” Honest

The most important rule is to always deliver what the board promises. If the “then” card says park and it starts raining, swap the card before you tell your child, and offer something similar. Trust in the board is what makes it work.

Keep “First” Achievable

The “first” task should be short and realistic. “First tidy the whole playroom” is too big for a toddler. “First put blocks in the bin” is doable.

First Then Board Examples

First	Then	When to use
Shoes on	Park	Leaving the house
Wash hands	Snack	Before meals
Diaper change	Play	Changing-table resistance
Car seat	Music in the car	Car trips
Brush teeth	Story	Bedtime
Tidy blocks	Bath	End of play
Doctor check	Sticker	Appointments
Potty try	Pajamas	Bedtime potty routine
Put on coat	Walk to daycare	Mornings
Quiet time	Snack	Afternoon rest

The “then” does not always have to be a treat. It can simply be the next ordinary activity, which teaches that the day has an order.

First Then Board for Autism

First-then boards are widely used with autistic children, both at home and in classrooms. Many autistic children find visual information easier to process than spoken instructions, and a clear two-step sequence can make transitions more predictable. Use pictures your child already understands, which might be photos or real objects rather than drawings, and keep your words consistent.

Every child is different, so if your child has additional needs, your pediatrician, therapist or teacher can help you adapt a first-then board for them. Our guide to a visual schedule for autism covers related strategies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using it only for tasks your child dislikes. Use it sometimes for two things they enjoy, so the board is not a signal that something unpleasant is coming.
• Changing the “then” after the fact. This erodes trust quickly.
• Using too many words. “First shoes, then park” is enough.
• Making “first” too long. Break big tasks into smaller first-then steps.
• Hiding the board away. Keep it where you can grab it quickly at hard moments.

Moving From First-Then to a Full Schedule

Once your child follows first-then with ease, try adding a third space: “First, then, next.” From there, you can build a short routine strip. Our guides to a visual schedule for toddlers and the toddler daily routine chart show how to expand.

A handy tip to finish: make a small, pocket-sized first-then board for your bag. It is often in the grocery store or the doctor’s waiting room that a two-card plan helps most.