Bedtime Routine Chart- Free Printable Visual Schedule
This free printable bedtime routine chart is a helpful visual schedule designed to make bedtime smoother for both kids and parents. Instead of repeating the same instructions every night, you can let the chart do the talking so you can focus on choosing the perfect bedtime story to read together.
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At the end of the day everyone is tired and the last thing we want to do is talk through each step of a bedtime routine to our child night after night. I love bedtime with my kids, but I love it even more when they are successful in getting themselves ready for books, songs and snuggles.
According to the sleepfoundation.org establishing a consistent bedtime routine is so important for kids. It is a way of telling their body it is time to calm down and go to sleep. This routine chart is a tool to help create that new routine with your kids.
This free printable chart is perfect for toddlers and young children as each step has visual cues attached and there is no reading required. It is also a great way to promote independence in older children who are more of visual learners or struggle with multistep instructions.
This pairs perfectly with this free printable morning routine chart, and if you are looking for a routine chart for older kids we have that too!
About This Bedtime Routine Chart
This chart includes 7 tasks to help kids transition from the busyness of the day to the nightly routine. These tasks include:
- Put away toys and games
- Set out items needed for next day
- Put on pajamas
- Wash face
- Brush teeth
- Lay out clothes for the next day
- Read or prepare for bedtime
How To Use A Bedtime Chart
- Set clear expectations
- Explain what each picture represents (ie wash face, brush teeth, put on pajamas)
- Encourage your child to follow the chart in order- however this is not something that needs to be strongly enforced
- Include the chart into their routine
- Place in a visible spot like on the bathroom mirror or bedroom door- somewhere they can easily see it
- Let your child check off each step as they complete it with dry erase markers (I would recommending laminating this chart- here is my go-to laminator)
- Let your child lead the process
- Encourage your child to be independent with their nighttime routine, you can help guide them through the steps but the goal is for them to take ownership of this
- Make it exciting
- Have fun and encourage them while they work through the steps
- Talk about the fun book or bedtime story that you will do with your child when the bedtime routine is completed
Why Visual Bedtime Routines Work
Promotes independence– helping your child take charge of their own bedtime routine
Helps young minds– Young kids often struggle with abstract concepts which make verbal instructions hard to follow, these visual cues are a great support for them
Builds life skills– completing multistep tasks can be hard and this helps them practice this with some support
Reduces anxiety– with a predictable routine children feel more secure and less anxious about bedtime creating a peaceful bedtime
Your Free Printable Bedtime Chart
To get this bedtime routine chart just put your email in the opt in box above and an email will be sent to you immediately. This email will contain a link to the PDF file for this routine chart that you can print off to use with your child.
We encourage letting each child have their own bedtime charts. This free printable is intended for personal use and classroom use only.
Other Great Tools To Use With Kids (that include free printables)
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