Morning routine chart for kids: how to make mornings calmer
A morning routine chart works when it’s short and the same every day: the few jobs that must happen before you leave, in order, ticked off as they’re done. Do whatever you can the night before, make the checklist together, turn it into a game and praise the trying. That’s the advice from the Welsh Government’s Parenting. Give it time service and the NHS.
General parenting tips from UK public-sector sources, not medical or professional advice. Every child is different; if you’re worried about your child’s behaviour or development, talk to your health visitor or GP.
View Tidy Stars on the App StoreWhy mornings go wrong
GOV.WALES puts it well: without a set routine, a child can’t find the book they need, gets worried, and it throws the whole day out. They’re late for school and you’re late for work. It says a consistent routine helps everyone know what’s expected, and helps children become more independent as they follow it with less supervision (GOV.WALES: routines).
Step 1: do the night-before jobs
GOV.WALES suggests starting with prep the night before: anything you and your child can do the night before, do it. For example, getting bags ready, putting shoes by the door, or helping make their packed lunch.
Step 2: make the checklist together
Sit down with your child and agree the jobs. GOV.WALES suggests creating checklists together, perhaps one each, and making ticking each job off part of the game. Asking their opinion helps too: “Today is going to be a very busy day! How are we going to get everything done this morning?”
Keep it short and in the order it happens. A typical school or nursery morning might be:
- Get up
- Get dressed
- Breakfast
- Brush teeth
- Shoes and coat on, bag by the door
That’s an example, not a rule. GOV.WALES says there’s no right and wrong with routines, and every family is different.
Step 3: use pictures for little ones
Children who can’t read yet can follow a row of pictures: a photo or drawing of each job. There’s no official guidance on this, so treat it as common sense. The NHS says to be realistic about what your child can do, and not to expect perfection or instant results (NHS: teaching your child everyday skills).
Step 4: make it a game
GOV.WALES suggests letting your child choose their own alarm clock, using an egg timer, or trying to get everything done before a favourite song ends.
Step 5: praise it, and keep any reward small
GOV.WALES says to use praise and encouragement when a routine goes well, and suggests part of a morning routine could be a small reward if everything gets done, such as ten minutes with a favourite toy. The NHS says to be specific in your praise and to give a reward after your child has done what they were asked, not before, because otherwise it’s a bribe (NHS: dealing with child behaviour problems).
Step 6: be consistent, and kind to yourself
Expect push-back at first. GOV.WALES says a new routine takes a while to get used to, so be consistent, and if something isn’t working, re-assess rather than worry. If a job gets forgotten, it suggests not stepping in to fix it every time, and not getting angry. And it says this: if you get it right three days out of five, you’re doing a good job (GOV.WALES).
The NHS also says it helps if everyone who looks after your child takes a similar approach, including routines (NHS).
Bedtime is the other half
A calm morning often starts the night before. For bedtime, GOV.WALES suggests doing the same thing every night at the same time, letting your child know bedtime is coming, and avoiding screens and boisterous play before bed (GOV.WALES: bedtime).
A chart that lives on the phone
I made Tidy Stars because of my boy’s bedroom. Kids pick a job, tap their button when it’s done, music plays and they earn a star; the stars add up to a treat you choose together. You can add a photo of each job, which helps children who can’t read yet, and it handles more than one child. It’s a reward chart, not a parenting method, so the steps above still apply.
Read next
- Reward chart for kids: how to make one work
- Chores for kids by age: what to put on the chart
- How to get kids to tidy their room
Questions
What should go on a morning routine chart for kids?
Keep it to the few jobs that actually need doing before you leave, in the order they happen: for example get up, get dressed, breakfast, brush teeth, shoes and coat on. GOV.WALES suggests making the checklist together and making ticking each job off part of the game.
How do I make school mornings less stressful?
GOV.WALES suggests doing whatever you can the night before, such as getting bags ready, putting shoes by the door and helping make the packed lunch, then going through a checklist together in the morning. It also says to be consistent, because a new routine can take a while to settle.
Should I give a reward for finishing the morning routine?
It can help. GOV.WALES suggests praise and encouragement when a routine goes well, and says part of a morning routine could be a small reward if everything gets done, such as ten minutes with a favourite toy. The NHS says to give a reward after your child has done what they were asked, not before.
What if my child won’t follow the routine?
GOV.WALES says to expect some push-back and be consistent, and that if something isn’t working, to re-assess rather than worry. It suggests not stepping in to fix things every time a job is forgotten, and not getting angry. It also says getting it right three days out of five is a good job.
Does a routine chart work for children who can’t read yet?
Use pictures instead of words: a photo or drawing for each job. There’s no official guidance on this, so treat it as common sense. The NHS says to be realistic about what your child can do and not to expect perfection or instant results.