By Jem Findlay - @create4me

The other day, my son pointed at a pet store sign with a picture of a dog and a cat and confidently announced, “That sign says dogs and cats can come in there.”
He was totally right!

At just three years old, he’s not yet able to “read,” but the visual made the sign crystal clear for him to interpret. Good branding, right?

This moment struck me. It’s a perfect example of how children use visuals to make sense of the world. Visuals aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. For young children, they’re a bridge between curiosity and understanding, playing a huge role in early literacy and transitions.

Let’s break it down. My mind went on quite the journey on this sunny Wednesday afternoon.

Visuals as the Foundation for Literacy

Before children can read, they’re already “reading” the world around them through symbols, logos, and pictures. A McDonald’s golden arches sign doesn’t need words for a child to know nuggets and fries are nearby. This is called environmental print, and it’s a critical stage of early literacy.

The EYLF (Outcome 5) talks about children being effective communicators, and visuals empower them to explore and express meaning long before they can unpack written text. By interacting with pictures, symbols, and real-world signs, children begin to:

• Recognise patterns and associations (e.g., seeing the picture of a dog and connecting it to a pet shop).
• Understand context and meaning, even without formal literacy skills—that big golden M means Maccas!
• Build confidence in “reading” their environment, which translates into enthusiasm for reading and writing later.

Visuals make literacy tangible, relatable, and fun.

Visuals Supporting Transitions and Routines

Let’s explore where my brain went next.

Imagine you’re in a busy shopping centre, absolutely desperate for the loo. Are you calmly reading directory signs? Or are you darting your eyes around for that universal toilet symbol?

When you find it, you feel instant relief (but hopefully not too instant).

Now, consider little Jenny, who’s still developing verbal skills and emotional regulation. If she doesn’t know what’s happening next or where she’s supposed to go, she might feel overwhelmed or dysregulated. Visuals can reduce that stress by giving clear, consistent, and accessible cues.

In early childhood settings, transitions are a huge part of a child’s day. Visuals can help make these moments smoother by:

• Showing children what’s happening next (e.g., a “lunch” symbol before lunchtime).
• Providing predictability and security.
• Reducing anxiety for children who find verbal instructions challenging or are adapting to new routines.

EYLF Outcome 1 highlights the importance of children feeling safe and secure. Visual aids, like the Routine Helper from Second Scout, contribute to this by giving children a sense of control and confidence.

Practical Ways to Use Visuals to Support Literacy in Early Childhood

Here are some simple, effective ideas to include visuals in your environment:

1. Visual Schedules
   Create a daily schedule with pictures for each part of the day. For example:
• A sun for the morning program.
• A sandwich for lunchtime.
• A bed for rest time.
  This not only supports transitions but also encourages independence as children can check what’s next without asking.
2. Label the Environment (Literacy rich)
   Use picture labels on shelves, storage containers, and spaces to help children know where things belong. For example, a block picture on the block shelf or a drink bottle symbol on the drink bottle shelf. This supports literacy as children begin to connect images with words.
3. Transition Cards
   Some children may like portable visual cards for individual transitions (e.g., “toilet,” “outside,” “lunch”).
4. Visual Rules and Prompts
   Instead of just writing a list of “room rules,” use symbols like shoes alongside “walking inside.”
5. Storytelling with Pictures
   Make storytelling interactive by adding props, drawings, or printed visuals to the story. Children can “read” along by pointing to the pictures, developing comprehension and narrative skills.
6. Visual Cues for Emotions
   Use visuals to support emotional literacy, such as emotion cards or feelings display. These help children express how they’re feeling while building vocabulary and understanding.

What Happens When We Skip Visuals?

Let’s go back to the shopping centre scenario. Imagine if there were no signs, no cues, and no one around to help. You’d feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and probably anxious (and might even have an unpleasant accident). Oopsie.

This is how children feel when they don’t have clear visual supports. They might show big emotions—not because they’re “misbehaving,” but simply because they don’t understand what’s expected or what comes next. Visuals take away the guesswork and set them up for success. Super important, right?

Why I’m So Passionate About Visuals?

If I haven’t made it obvious yet, I’m incredibly passionate about visuals!

They’re more than just a tool—they support children in developing early literacy skills, navigating their world with confidence, building essential skills, and transitioning smoothly through their day.

And you know what the best part is?

Visuals aren’t just for kids. Us adults rely on them constantly too! Probably more than you even realised before reading this, right?

When we embed visuals into early childhood settings, we’re not just helping children in the moment—we’re giving them the tools to be effective communicators, confident learners, and resilient humans.

By Jem Findlay - @create4me