Switcheroo Visual Board and Cards My Daily Bridge
Switcheroo Station!
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
"We can switch tasks like a train switching tracks! Chugga chugga, let's go!" 🚂
⏰
1. Now
What I am doing right now
Place Card Here
2. The Transition
How I prepare my brain and body
Place Tool Card
3. Next
What is coming up next
Place Card Here
👉
When the transition is done, I get to move my train!
Stop
Switch
Go!
Switcheroo Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Laminate and use velcro dots if possible!
12 Printable Cards
Preferred Activity
📺
Screen Time
Tablet, TV, or Games
Preferred Activity
🧩
Free Play
Legos, toys, drawing
Preferred Activity
🛝
Outside Play
Park, backyard, riding toys
Routine Task
🧹
Toy Cleanup
Putting toys in bins
Routine Task
🛁
Bath Time
Splish-splash wash
Routine Task
🍽️
Meal Time
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Routine Task
👟
Shoes & Coat
Getting ready to go out
Routine Task
🛏️
Bedtime
PJs, teeth, and stories
Transition Tool
⏳
5-Minute Timer
Watch the sand/timer run out
Transition Tool
🌬️
3 Deep Breaths
Blow out candles/smell flowers
Transition Tool
🎵
Transition Song
Singing our clean-up/bye song
My Choice
Draw Your Own
Add a special favorite activity!
Tip: Give your child a choice of which Transition Tool (Cards 9, 10, or 11) they want to use to build a sense of agency.
Switcheroo Playbook for Mom Parent Playbook
Transition Playbook
Home Connection
The 5-Year-Old Brain
At age 5, executive functioning is still developing. When deeply engaged in a high-dopamine activity (like screens or imaginative play), stopping physically feels like a sudden loss.
The Secret: Instead of forcing a hard stop, build a mental "bridge" to the next task using warnings, choices, and play.
💡 Playbook Rule #1
Never command from across the room. Walk over, get on eye-level, and gently touch their shoulder first.
The Connection Ritual
Apply this 3-step routine before pointing to the visual schedule:
1 Observe & Comment: Join their world for 30 seconds. ("Wow, that lego castle has huge towers!")
2 Give the Warning: Use a concrete container of time. ("In 2 minutes, the sand runs out. Time to switch.")
3 Offer Controlled Choices: ("Do you want to turn off the TV yourself, or should we push it together?")
What to Say: Power Scripts
Instead of: "Turn that off right now! You've had enough screen time!"
Try This Power Script:
"Hey bud, I see you are finishing that fun level! Let's check our Switcheroo Station . It's almost time to switch to dinner. Should we use the 5-minute timer or sing our favorite transition song to say goodbye to the tablet?"
Instead of: "We are leaving the playground. Let's go, stop crying!"
Try This Power Script:
"It's hard to leave the swings! Let's say, 'Bye swings, see you next time!' Should we do a slow turtle walk or a fast rocket run to the car? You choose!"
⚓ Co-Regulation Reminder: If your child screams or resists, stay calm. Match their intensity with soft, steady breathing. Your calm is their anchor.
Transition Playbook
Easy games and songs to turn boring transitions into a fun game!
Games & Songs
🚂
Game 1: The Switcheroo Toy Express
How to Play: Pretend you both are a train. Your child is the Conductor! Chug and puff over to the toys. Load them up ("packing the cargo") into bins. Make train noises as you move.
💡 Best for: Putting away toys or transitioning between rooms.
🚀
Game 2: Beat the Clock Rocket
How to Play: Set a visual sand timer or clean-up music. Challenge your child to get their shoes on or pack up their puzzles before the timer runs out. Countdown: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Blastoff to the car!"
💡 Best for: Physical task initiation (shoes on, brushing teeth).
👋
Game 3: The Wave & Goodbye
How to Play: Kids struggle to let go of screens because they feel like they disappear. Wave and say a vocal goodbye to the object. "Bye-bye ipad! Go to sleep and charge up! See you tomorrow!"
💡 Best for: Turning off screens, leaving parks, putting away favorite toys.
Transition Songs to Sing Together
🎵 The Switcheroo Song
(Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
"Now it's time to pause and play,
Switch our brains a different way!
First we stop and take a breath,
Then we find what's coming next.
Switcheroo, let's look and see,
What is waiting there for me!"
🎵 Clean-up Train
(Tune: Row Row Row Your Boat)
"Chugga chugga, clean-up train,
Rolling down the track!
Pick up all our Lego blocks,
Put them on the rack!
Chug, chug, switch tracks,
Dinner's ready now!"
Tip: Praise the *effort* of switching tasks immediately! "Wow, you stopped playing right away and looked at your board! That took high-power brain focus!"
Switcheroo Power Storybook A Social Narrative Story Part 1
My Super Switcheroo Power!
Written for Brave Transition Kids & Parents
🎮 🧩 🧱
Panel 1
Hi! My name is Leo, and I am five years old! I love to play games, build huge block castles, and watch fun videos on my screen. Playing makes my brain feel super happy!
🗣️ ⏳ 🚨
Panel 2
But sometimes, Mom says, "Leo, it is time to switch! Let's check our schedule." Oh no! Stopping my fun play can feel hard. My body feels tight, and I want to say, "No, more time!"
👉 Point to the screen and blocks: What is your favorite thing to play? How does it feel when it's time to stop?
A Social Narrative Story Part 2
🌬️ 👋 🚂
Panel 3
That is when I use my Super Switcheroo Power! First, I take 3 deep, slow breaths. Next, I look at the ipad and wave: "Bye-bye ipad, time to sleep and charge!" Waving goodbye helps my brain feel ready to move.
🗺️ 🍽️ 🛀
Panel 4
Then, I check my Switcheroo Station visual board. I see what task is NEXT, like eating a yummy snack or taking a warm bath. Switching tasks is like a fun bridge! Mom is so proud of my strong brain!
🌟 My Super Switcher Promise: "I can pause, I can breathe, and I can switch smoothly!" 🌟
Switcheroo Champion Tracker My Daily Bridge
My Switcheroo Tracker!
Conductor: ___________________
Week of: ___________________
Let's track our daily train rides! Every time you use your Switcheroo Power or Activity Changer Switch to switch activities calmly, color in a star! 🌟
🚂 Stop 1: Monday Start!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 2: Tuesday Chugga!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 3: Wednesday Halfway!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 4: Thursday Ridin' High!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 5: Friday Woo-Woo!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 6: Saturday Weekend!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🚂 Stop 7: Sunday Almost There!
☀️ Morning
⭐
⛅ Afternoon
⭐
🌙 Bedtime
⭐
🏆 Celebration Station! The Reward
What we are working for:
(Draw or write reward here!)
💡
Coaching Tip: Focus on progress, not perfection! If a transition was tough, celebrate the effort of trying. Celebrate at the end of the week with the official Switcheroo & Activity Changer Certificate on the next page!
⭐
✨
🚂
🎈
Official Station Master Award
🏆
SWITCHEROO CHAMPION
Certificate of Awesome Transitions
This certifies that
( Write Champion's Name Here )
Has successfully used their super Switcheroo Power and Activity Changer Switch to make smooth, calm transitions!
🌬️
Calm Breaths
👋
Waved Goodbye
Switcheroo Activity Changer Storybook A Social Narrative Story Part 1
My Super Activity Changer Power!
Written for Brave Transition Kids & Parents
🎮 🎲 🦖
Panel 1
I play so many exciting games! Sometimes I play fast video games on my screen. Other times, I play dinosaur games or board games with Mom. All activities are a fun adventure!
🛑 🥺 ⌛
Panel 2
But when a game is finished, Mom says: "Time to change activities, Abnel!" Sometimes, my brain wants to stay locked on one thing. Stopping to do a different play activity can make me feel frustrated or sad.
👉 Point to the emojis: What is your favorite screen game? How about your favorite physical game?
A Social Narrative Story Part 2
👉 🤖 🌬️
Panel 3
That's when I tap my chest and press my imaginary Activity Changer Switch! I go "Beep!" and take 3 deep, robot breaths. This tells my brain: "You had fun with this activity. Now your brain is ready for the next fun activity!"
🥳 🧩 🎯
Panel 4
Now I can start my new activity with a big smile! Both games and toys are awesome, and my brain can learn new things in each one. Pressing my switch makes me a master of activity change. Playtime is so much fun!
🌟 My Activity Changer Power: Tap, Beep, Breathe, and let's go play! 🌟