Helping all children become happy learners

Now Next Resources

Introduction

Some children, including many who are on the autistic spectrum, find it really difficult to follow adult requests; particularly if it conflicts with their own agenda. Adults begin by engaging with the child's play and interests in order to establish cooperation or at least tolerance of the adult. Gradually, adults then slowly encourage the child to recognise that they are expected to complete adult-directed tasks. Visual resources such as Now Next boards can be highly effective in supporting this transition from child agenda to adult agenda. 
Always introduce the Now Next by having two activities of the child's choice. It is important that they have control initially. Work for at least a week with the child choosing both now and next activities. At this stage the important learning point is that the child accepts and refers to the Now Next board. When child (and adults) are consistently using it begin to put an adult directed Now. Again begin with activities that you know the child will enjoy or is more tolerant of. Keep the adult directed task very short at first. This could be less than a minute for some children. You will need to establish this pattern consistently over at least a week assessing how well the child is adapting to their loss of control. When you feel the child is ready, begin to introduce Now activities that the child is less motivated to do. If this is successful begin to link the Now and Next to a visual timetable. 
The Now Next works really well as long as you use them consistently and persistently. Unfortunately staff can often be observed struggling to get compliance from a child while a Now Next board lies on a table unused. Once reminded to use the Now Next consistently there is generally an improvement in cooperation again. When a Now Next board is used consistently over time and there is continued refusal or the child becomes aggressive you may want to look at PDA and PDA strategies.

 

Al the Alien Now Next Board


Al the Alien Now Next Board

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Let Al the Alien encourage the child to complete the Now Next. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Batman Now Next


Batman Now Next

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A Now Next board for children motivated by Batman. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Beeble Now Next Board


Beeble Now Next Board

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A simple Now Next board with Beeble characters to encourage the child. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Circles Now Next Task Board


Circles Now Next Task Board

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A simple Now Next Board using circles.

Helix Now Next - Blue


Helix Now Next - Blue

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A simple Now Next board with the Happy Learners mascot Helix. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Helix Now Next - Green


Helix Now Next - Green

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Let Helix encourage the child to complete the First Then. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Helix Now Next - Pink


Helix Now Next - Pink

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Let Helix encourage the child to complete the Now Next. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Moody Monsters Now Next


Moody Monsters Now Next

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This Now Next board has space to write the two tasks with Moody Monsters to make it visually appealing.

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Now Next Carousel Numbering Aid


Now Next Carousel Numbering Aid

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This resource helps to organise children to follow a carousel of activities so that they go around in a specific order. Individual or groups of children can be directed to start at different points on the carousel using these signposts. Use of Now Next language to integrate with Now Next Task Board. Can be used with a carousel involving between 2 and 6 different activities.

Now Next Carousel Numbering Token


Now Next Carousel Numbering Token

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This helps to signpost children around a carousel of activities so that they go around in a specific order. These tokens can be used instead of or to work with the Now Next Carousel Numbering Aid. The language is simplified to Now Next for supporting children familiar with use of Now Next Task Board. Can be used with a carousel involving between 2 and 6 different activities.

Now Next Task Board


Now Next Task Board

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Use the now and next sheet to help a child remain focussed on the desired activity with the visual reminder of the reward. Laminate sheet and use dry-wipe pen to reuse as appropriate.

Now Choose Next Board


Now Choose Next Board

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This is for use with children who need to control activities and/or have demand avoidance behaviours. It extends the Now Next Board to provide two choices for the next activity. The child chooses one of the two learning activities selected by the adult.

Robbie Robot Now Next


Robbie Robot Now Next

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Maybe Robbie Robot can encourage the child to complete the Now Next. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Santa Now Next


Santa Now Next

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A Santa Now Next to encourage the child to follow adult-directed tasks. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Snowman Now Next


Snowman Now Next

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A Snowman Now Next to encourage the child to follow adult-directed tasks. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Spiderman Now Next


Spiderman Now Next Free Printable Resource

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Spiderman may be able to help encourage interest in using the Now Next board. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Superman Now Next


Superman Now Next Free Printable Resource

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Superman can help encourage interest in using the Now Next. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Tablet Now Next


Tablet Now Next

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A Now Next board designed to look like a tablet computer. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Thomas the Tank Engine Now Next


Thomas the Tank Engine Now Next

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Let Thomas the Tank Engine motivate the child to use this Now NextBoard. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Train Now Next


Train Now Next Free Printable Resource

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A simple Now Next board with trains to motivate child. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.

Winnie The Pooh Now Next


Winnie The Pooh Now Next

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A Winnie-the-Pooh Now Next board to motivate child. Write or put a picture or symbol of the task that they need to do first before they can do an alternative or reward activity.
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