Free Visual Support Symbols for Early Years & SEND
Tapestry’s Free Symbol Resources
Visual support symbols are a fantastic way to help children develop understanding and communication. Many schools and early years settings use symbols on lanyards, keyrings, and displays to reinforce messages when speaking with children — for example, saying “It’s time for the playground” while showing the matching symbol. Visual timetables can also help children understand what their day will look like and provide a sense of routine and predictability.
We know that symbol software can often be expensive, which is why we’ve made these resources completely free. There’s no need to be a Tapestry customer and no email sign-up required — just access and use them whenever you need them. If you have any requests for tweaks to our symbols or would like a new symbol, just let us know via the form below.
Download Your Free Symbols
Request a Symbol
Not found what you’re looking for? Our SEND Advisor and Outreach Teacher, Stephen Kilgour, is happy to help. Use the form below to submit your request and we’ll do our best to create it for you.
The BrightSpeak App, in Association with Tapestry
BrightSpeak is a simple, visual communication app designed to help children express their needs, feelings, and thoughts with confidence. Created with accessibility at its heart, BrightSpeak supports children who find verbal communication challenging by combining clear language, friendly visuals, and speech output. Calm, intuitive, and easy to use, it provides support across everyday environments — whether at home, in school, or while out and about.
We are delighted to provide a platform to share this app, which was developed by the father of a non-verbal child. We were immediately impressed by its thoughtful design and wide range of features, but equally important is its commitment to accessibility: BrightSpeak is completely free, fully customisable, and contains no adverts. To help create consistency for children already using Tapestry symbols in their setting or school, we have also provided a selection of our Tapestry symbols for inclusion within the app.
FAQs
What are visual support symbols?
Visual support symbols are used to support communication and enhance understanding. They are commonly used in early years and SEND settings to help reinforce language, routines, and expectations. Increasingly, specialist provisions within mainstream primary schools also use visual supports to provide children with additional prompts and support.
What are visual timetable symbols?
Visual timetable symbols are pictures or symbols used to represent activities, routines, and events throughout the day. They help children understand what is happening now and what is coming next, providing structure and predictability. Visual timetables can support communication, reduce uncertainty around transitions, and help children feel more confident and prepared for changes in their routine. They are commonly used in early years, SEND, and school settings, but can benefit many children and learning environments.
Who are these symbols for?
These symbols have been designed for use in early years and specialist settings, but they may also be beneficial in some KS1 and KS2 learning environments. The visual support symbols are designed to be worn by staff on a lanyard or keyring so they are always easily accessible, particularly when supporting transitions and everyday communication.
How do I download the symbols?
Simply click on the links above to access downloadable and printable PDF files. If you are looking for symbols that are not currently featured, please contact us using the form to submit a request.
How do I print and prepare them for a lanyard?
Print the symbol pages on A4 paper and use a guillotine or scissors to cut along the lines around each symbol. Place the symbols into an A4 laminating pouch, leaving a small gap between each one to ensure a good seal. You may need to run the pouch through the laminator a second time if needed.
Once laminated, cut out the symbols, use a hole punch to create a hole in each one, and attach them to a retractable keyring or lanyard.