It is the rare parent who hasn’t engaged in a power struggle at bedtime with a child. Kids use all types of stalling techniques to postpone bedtime. One Positive Discipline parenting tool that has helped many families with bedtime is a visual bedtime routine chart that uses pictures or images to show the specific steps in the nightly routine. But parents shouldn’t confuse a routine chart with a reward chart.
How is a Bedtime Routine Chart Different from a Reward Chart?
A bedtime routine chart is simply a visual chart that shows the steps in the routine. No reward is given after a child completes the steps in the bedtime routine. Parents can think of a bedtime routine chart as nightly calendar of events rather than a bribing tool.
Using rewards isn’t a Positive Discipline parenting tool at all because the Positive Discipline philosophy focuses on long-term results that are based on teaching life skills to children, instilling a sense of capability in kids and building healthy social and emotional connections.
Examples and Stories of Visual Bedtime Routine Charts
Parents can visit the following sites to view examples of different types of routine charts, read success stories and hear Jane Nelsen, the author of Positive Discipline speak about solving power struggles around bedtime issues.
- Bedtime Picture Routine Chart for Children
- Free Printable Bedtime Routine Charts
- Focusing on Solutions Free Podcast #4: Resolving Bedtime Problems
- New Bedtime Routine Poster Example
- Routine Chart Success Story
Tips to Avoid a Power Struggle When Using a Bedtime Routine Chart
- Use the chart consistently.
- Let the child hold the chart and say the next step
- Ask your child “What’s next on your routine?”
- Let your child help create or make the routine chart
- Make the chart simple, especially for preschoolers
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