Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Bedtime Routine Chart: Free Printable Chart for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Bedtime Routine Chart is a free printable chart for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children tick each job every night, so they can see their bedtime routine build up across the week. It takes about 2 minutes a night, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a table. Down the left is a Job column. Across the top is a column for each day of the week, so a child can tick a job on the night it is done. Children tick each job every night and build a steady pattern. At the end of the week they look back at the ticks and see which jobs are becoming habits.
- Job
- M
- T
- W
- F
- S
Setting up the chart
Pick a spot
Stick the chart on the bedroom wall at your child's eye level. A place near the bed works well, so it is easy to find when it is time to tick.
Keep a pencil close
Tie a pencil to a string beside the chart, or keep one in a pot nearby. If the pencil is easy to reach, ticking becomes part of the routine.
Agree the order
Talk through the jobs with your child and say them in the same order each night. A steady order helps a young child know what comes next.
Why a bedtime routine helps
A bedtime routine is a set of calm jobs done in the same order each evening. For a child in Year 1, doing the same things each night makes bedtime feel predictable. Children often cope better with change and tiredness when they know what is coming next. A routine can also cut down on arguments, because the order is already agreed.
A tick chart gives young children a way to see what they have done. Five and six year olds are learning to take care of themselves, and a chart lets them own the jobs. Ticking is quick and satisfying. It turns a grown up reminder into something the child can check alone, which supports independence and self care.
Good to know about bedtime
- Sleep gives your body and brain time to rest.
- Brushing your teeth last thing at night helps keep them healthy.
- Washing your hands with soap helps get rid of germs.
- A quiet, calm room helps many people fall asleep.
- Doing the same jobs in the same order each night helps your body learn that sleep is coming.
Skills and curriculum link
- Routine
- Independence
- Self care
- Following an order
- Counting ticks
Ways to help a routine stick
- Keep it the sameDoing jobs in the same order each night helps children remember them without being told.
- Start smallA short routine is easier to keep going than a long one. Add more jobs once the first ones are habits.
- Praise the effortNotice when a child does a job without a reminder. Specific praise works better than general praise.
- Keep it calmDim lights and quiet voices help the whole evening feel slower and more settled.
Key words
- RoutineThings you do in the same order, again and again.
- HabitSomething you do so often that you do it without thinking.
- TickA mark that shows a job is done.
- Self careLooking after your own body, such as washing and brushing teeth.
- IndependentAble to do something by yourself.
- CalmQuiet and relaxed, with no rush or fuss.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Stick page 1 on the bedroom wall where your child can reach it. It takes about 2 minutes a night.
- Go through the chart together the first time. Talk about each job and why it matters.
- Each night, let your child tick every job they have done in that night's column.
- At the end of the week, count the ticks together and talk about how it went. Come back to the chart again next week, because repeating it builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only the first three jobs until they are a habit. Do them in the same order each night and tick together at first. When your child ticks them without reminders, bring in the next job.
To stretch confident children
Let your child add their own job in a spare row of paper. Talk about why it belongs in the routine and where it fits in the order. Then they tick it each night with the others.
Make it a game
Count the ticks at the end of the week and talk about it. Which job got the most ticks? Which one needs more practice? Then set a friendly goal for next week, such as one more tick than this week.
Talk about it
- Which job do you find easiest at bedtime? Why?
- Which job is the hardest to remember?
- Why do you think we do the same jobs in the same order?
- How do you feel when you wake up after a good sleep?
- What calm thing would you like to do before the light goes off?
- Is there a job you would like to add?
Take it off the page
Bedtime story
Choose a book together and read a few pages in a quiet voice. Let your child turn the pages and talk about the pictures.
Tidy up game
Put toys away in the same order each evening. Say what each toy needs, such as the box, the shelf or the bed.
Draw the routine
Ask your child to draw each bedtime job on a small card. Put the cards in order, then check them against the chart.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child the first night and let them lead. Keep ticking quick, about 2 minutes a night. Praise effort, and gently point to the chart rather than giving reminders.
Teachers
Use it in a PSHE lesson on looking after ourselves, as a starter, or as a take home task. Children can compare routines in a class talk. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
Home educators
Use the chart as part of a wider PSHE plan. It pairs well with picture books about sleep and everyday talk about health. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a fresh week.
Where this fits in
Before this chart, children learn simple self care in Reception, such as washing hands, getting dressed and knowing when to ask for help. This sheet builds on that by asking them to remember a whole set of jobs and do them in order.
After this, children can use tick charts for other routines, such as getting ready for school or tidying their room. In Year 2 they can take on more responsibility, plan their own routines and talk about why healthy habits matter.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Bedtime Routine Chart for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can use it with a grown up, and older children can add their own jobs to make it more challenging.
- What will children practise?
They practise building a calm bedtime routine with a daily tick chart. This supports routine, independence and self care, which are key parts of PSHE at Key Stage 1.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 2 minutes a night. Children tick their jobs in that night's column, then look back over the week with a grown up at the end.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use only the first three jobs until they become a habit. Do them in the same order each night and tick together at first. Add the next job when your child is ready.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or start a fresh chart each week.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil. It works well as a calm moment before bed, and it helps children wind down away from screens.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour with pencils or stickers if they like, but it is not needed.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.