How can I play “Our Event Calendar” with my child?

By Down Syndrome Digital · 2026-10-07

Suggested age: 40–46 months

About this activity

Activity: Our Event Calendar — a short, child-led play idea for children with Down syndrome aged 40–46 months. Follow your child’s cues and enjoy the activity at their pace.

These steps are invitations to play, not therapy or a milestone test. Choose a comfortable, stable position, supervise closely, and pause whenever your child needs a break.

What can this activity invite?

This activity may offer opportunities to notice:

• Get to know time words: “first,” “then,” “now.

• Learn to name different everyday actions.

• Put picture cards in the correct order.

• Cooperate with an adult when talking about events: listen carefully and observe.

• Match pictures with real-life situations.

What do I need for this activity?

A comfortable, stable place to play and the familiar items named in the steps. Choose materials made for your child’s age and ability; keep small parts, loose strings, plastic bags, and balloons away from babies and young children.

How do I play this activity?

1. Try this together

Illustration for “Our Event Calendar”, step 1: Prepare a set of cards – photos of your child doing different activities – or choose pictures that show everyday routines.

Prepare a set of cards – photos of your child doing different activities – or choose pictures that show everyday routines. Lay out in front of your child the pictures that reflect their daily events, for example: washing, eating, sleeping, and pictures that show special events: birthday, trip, visit from grandma, etc. Discuss the pictures. If you use photos of your child, start with the question: “Who is this?” — “Right, this is you!” questions for discussion: “Who is this?” — “Right, this is you” (if you use photos of your child). “What are you doing / what is the boy doing in this picture?” “Show me how you / he sleeps.” Show me how we wash our hands.” “Show me how you eat.

2. Try this together

Illustration for “Our Event Calendar”, step 2: Suggest making a calendar for the day with your child: “Now we are going to make a calendar for the day and find out what we are going to do today.” Attach the pictures to a clipboard or tape

Suggest making a calendar for the day with your child: “Now we are going to make a calendar for the day and find out what we are going to do today.” Attach the pictures to a clipboard or tape them to a board in the right order: “First you were sleeping. Show the picture. We will put it first.” Ask your child to say what happened next: “You woke up, and what did you do then? Show the picture.” Confirm your child’s choice: “Yes, you washed yourself. Show me how you washed your hands. Put the picture in the next box.” Ask your child to choose the next picture: “What did you do after that? Show me how you were eating. We will attach it here. Help me.

3. Try this together

Illustration for “Our Event Calendar”, step 3: Praise your child and say that something very interesting will happen later, and put in front of your child one of the “special events” pictures, for example, “bus”: — “And then something inter

Praise your child and say that something very interesting will happen later, and put in front of your child one of the “special events” pictures, for example, “bus”: — “And then something interesting is going to happen! Look at the picture I have — a bus. Today we are going to ride the bus to grandma’s. How does the bus go?” Wait for your child’s answer. If details can be seen in the picture, point them out: “A mum with children is sitting by the window. We will go together like that too!” — “Put the picture with the bus in the next box, and I will add the picture ‘visiting grandma’.

4. Fix the result: — “Now we have made a calendar for the whole day

Whose calendar is this?” Wait for your child’s answer and praise them: “Right, it is yours! Now you know what is going to happen today. We can look at what we do first and what we do next.

Tips

Keep it child-led

Try to use simple pictures that the child easily recognises. Discuss each picture, invite the child to point and imitate the action. Include “special” events in the calendar to increase interest. You can make the calendar on a tablet, board or sheet of paper, attaching pictures with Velcro, magnets or simply laying them in a row. Be sure to praise the child for each step. Change events according to the child’s interests (for example, add reading a book, joint play, going to the shop). At the end of the day, you can remove the pictures “what we did” and revisit impressions.

Optional variation: s When discussing the calendar, start with 3–5 pictures and increase the number, focusing on the child. Look at the calendar together with the child every day. You can first discuss events before lunch (sleeps, washes, eats, visits guests) and then events after the daytime nap (sleeps, washes, eats, reads a book).

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to finish every step?

No. Follow your child’s interest and stop whenever they need a break. There is no correct pace or required outcome.

What if my child is not interested today?

That is okay. Pause, try another activity, or return another day. Looking away or turning away is a cue to give your child space.

How long should we play?

There is no set duration. A short, comfortable moment is enough; stop if your child seems tired, distressed, or uncomfortable.

Is this therapy or a developmental assessment?

No. This is a play invitation, not therapy, a milestone target, or an assessment. It does not replace advice from your child’s clinicians.

Can I adapt this activity for my child?

Yes. Keep it comfortable and child-led. For questions about feeding, oral-motor skills, bath safety, positioning, or movement, use guidance from your child’s own care team.