Bedtime routine chart

The bedtime routine chart is a portrait A4 with the steps as cards, each with a clock time, on a dark blue night sky that sets the evening apart from the day. In Áigi Plan the template is called Evening routine.

When the template fits

The evening is often when there is least energy left, and the steps towards bed can take time. The bedtime routine chart shows the evening steps as cards with times, from dinner to sleep, against a dark blue sky that sets the evening apart from the day. The template fits at home every evening, and when the evening looks different, for example at another parent’s home or when travelling. A visual schedule of the whole evening can make it easier to see how much is left. More on why in our guide to visual supports.

Make the template your own

Swap the bath for a shower, move the story or add homework. You change the times right on the card, and you swap symbols for others from the library or for your own photos, such as your own bed. Print on A4 or save as a PDF. With Pro or Max the visual support can also be shown on a tablet with Screen.

How to use it

1. Go through the evening after dinner.
2. Point to the next card instead of saying it.
3. Let the times show roughly when, and move them if the evening usually takes longer.
4. Bring a printout when you sleep away.

Tips

• The same order every night can make it easier to know what comes next.
• Put the chart up where the evening starts, and leave it there.
• A step that is often hard can get its own line of text about what happens.

The morning has its own template: the morning routine visual schedule. See also the bath time visual schedule and all templates.