Arrival & Departure Routines

by Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated Jue 18, 2025
Predictable, consistent routines help students with visual impairments build confidence, reduce anxiety, and develop independence. Embedding clear beginnings and endings into routines not only supports smooth transitions but also allows for meaningful communication and learning opportunities throughout the school day. Well-designed arrival and departure routines promote self-determination, reinforce organizational and social skills, and give students opportunities to generalize skills across settings.

​Morning Arrival Routine

Design an arrival routine that is accessible, customized, and purposeful for each student. This time of day is ideal for fostering independence, supporting orientation, and introducing the day’s expectations. Arrival Routine Components:

Check-In & Attendance

​Use a tactile, large print, and/or braille "attendance board" or sign-in chart. Options include:
  • Name/photo/object symbol with Velcro: student moves it from “absent” to “present”
  • Name in print and braille (for potential braille readers)
  • Name stamp for students learning signature
  • Large print signature line for students with low vision

Social Greetings

Greet each student at the door with:
  • A personalized greeting (“Good morning, Marcus!”)
  • A physical greeting (handshake, fist bump, elbow bump) depending on what is modeled and appropriate
  • Practice social language: “How are you?” “I’m happy to see you!”

Unpack & Organize

Students practice:
  • Locating their backpack
  • Unzipping and opening their own bag (great for fine motor practice!)
  • Removing their communication folder and placing it in a labeled tray or bin
  • Hanging up coats/backpacks on hooks labeled with their name in print/braille
​Routines reinforce:
  • Literacy (reading names, symbols)
  • Orientation and organization (navigating the space)
  • Daily living skills (managing fasteners, organization)

Preview the Day

Briefly describe anything unusual or special that differs from the student’s typical routine (e.g., fire drill, guest speaker, field trip). Use:
  • Object calendars, tactile symbols, or visual schedules
  • First-Then boards or “Today/Not Today” routines to increase understanding

Afternoon Departure Routine

The departure routine provides another opportunity to develop independence, self-organization, and self-care skills. Departure Routine Components:

Pack-Up

Students practice:
  • Unzipping their backpack
  • Placing folders and personal items inside independently
  • Checking a packing checklist (visual, tactile, or auditory)
  • Organizing materials into folders/binders as needed

Dressing

Encourage independence in dressing for home:
  • Putting on coats or jackets
  • Engaging zippers, buttons, or snaps
  • Placing arms in sleeves correctly
  • Donning hats, mittens, or adaptive winter gear
  • Use hand-under-hand modeling if needed, fading assistance over time

Sign-Out

  • Student returns their name/object/symbol to the “out” column or uses a sign-out board
  • Optional: Say a personalized goodbye to encourage social exchange and reinforce routine (“See you tomorrow, Maya!”)

​Tips for Successful Routines

  • Use consistent prompts and language each day
  • Provide extra processing time before each step
  • Reinforce routines with:
    • Songs or chants for arrival and departure
    • Step-by-step stories or social scripts
  • Consider creating a tactile/visual schedule book for each student with removable icons/symbols
  • Celebrate success with praise, checklists, or a finished box

ECC Instruction

Teaching Strategies
Compensatory
Concept Development
Alternative Communication
Emergent Literacy
Beginning Braille​
Braille Code
Braille Fluency & Comprehension
Braillewriter
​​Slate & Stylus
​​Tactile Graphics
​Nemeth Code
Access Classes
​Abacus 
​Organize​
​Study Skills
​Time Management
​​​​Listening Skills
Sensory Efficiency
Support Sensory Needs
​Auditory Efficiency Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use
Tactile Readiness
Assistive Technology
Social Skills
​Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ ​Communicate Cooperative Identity ​Interactions
Self Determination
independent living
Personal Care
Hygiene & Grooming
Personal Health
Eating & Table Manners
Household Skills
Shopping & Consumerism
Clothing Management
Telephone
 Food Preparation
Money & Budget
Services
​Safety
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational