Visual Routines

Every family has them! That time of day where no one seems to listen…. 🥴 I am guessing that we are not alone when we say that the night time routine is that time for us. Kids are tired, but hyper… 🤔 They know the game… the more we stall, the longer we can avoid bedtime. 

My husband is the one that has chosen to take on bedtime. He works out of the home during the day so this is a precious time they get to spend together. ❤️ We wanted to make sure that it is always a positive time.  

Before we implemented the visual routine the kids were all over the place. 🤪 They needed constant verbal prompting, reminders and it felt like everyone was stressed… (maybe not the kids lol. They seemed to be having a grand ol’ time causing chaos)🤣 

A few weeks ago I remembered the visual schedules that I used with my students in the classroom 👩‍🏫 to assist with daily routines. I knew that this would make a huge difference in our nighttime routine!  

🌟 If you want a visual schedule to be successful, you must have a “reward” at the end of the routine. We do not do anything for free and your kids won't either. My kids work for an @Epic story! At the end of the routine, my husband reads them two books and if they complete all the tasks before their Hatch nightlights come on, then they get a digital book on @Epic.  

You need:  

-paper/cardstock 

-lamination or thick packing tape 

-velcro  

How to:  

⭐️ I printed out the visuals I found on @Canva  

⭐️ Glue the visuals to the bottom of the cardstock.  

⭐️ I also laminated the visual for durability… I knew if I wanted it to last this was a must. You can also do the poor man's laminating that I used to do with thick packing tape 😆. That was me prior to 🎅🏻 bringing me a small laminator this Christmas.  

⭐️ Fold the cardstock in half and then from the top cut ✂️ slits to create doors.  

⭐️ Use velcro so that the doors stay closed when completed.  

What time of day is difficult for your family? HmmWould your kids benefit from a visual schedule?