Make Morning and Bedtime Routines Easier with a Chart (Free Printable)
As I’m wanting to foster independence in my daughter, mornings and bedtimes run smoother if I can give fewer reminders.
We’ve used a routine chart since my daughter turned four, and a year later, she still LOVES it. As she said, “It helps me keep track of everything in my day so you don’t need to tell me.”
I love it for that very reason, too.
There are several on the market that you can buy, but we’ve found success with a printable chart that is as simple as possible and gives the satisfaction of checking things off the list.
We don’t put everything on the list because I don’t want to make it complicated, but she can see what she needs to do next.
I’m sharing the chart that we use and a blank version so you can create your own.
Printable:
Routine Chart Printable
Blank Routine Chart Printable
Do you use a routine chart for your kids too?
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I like this! The big wooden charts with magnets never worked very well for me. My only challenge is a kid who knows how to get dressed, but will stand half-naked in his room staring at who-knows-what for 15 minutes-plus in the morning if I don’t hover and MAKE him change. Aargh.
My daughter’s still a little too young for this but I love the idea of fostering independence by not having to tell her each step. Great idea I hope to use in the future.
I love this idea. What age do you think this would be good to start with? I have an almost 3 yr. old who I am thinking of trying it with.
I think it would depend on the kid. We started ous at age 4 and she felt like she was taking on added responsibility so it was very positive.
We have used our wipeable charts with funky graphics for the kids since they were about 4. I like the fact that they are wipeable because then I don’t have to print them out each week. We just wipe the tickboxes clean and start again. It’s great.
Doh! I was just going to ask how young I can start this, my daughter is 2.5 so maybe too young but I will print a copy anyways.
I’d love to see the quirky kid who associates not marking the board with getting a free day off from school. That’d make for some fun morning conversation.
Brilliant! This is just what we need in our house…. hopefully it will get us ORGANISED!!!
Thanks for the great idea.