In today’s world, parents are given so many options and strategies to reinforce positive behavior. One strategy that works time and time again is a reward chart for toddlers. A toddler routine chart can take your troubles away and is versatile. You can use it for daytime activities and sleep goals. Let’s dive into strategies you can implement now to foster positive habits during the day and at night.
Toddler Routine Chart
What is a Toddler Routine Chart?
A toddler routine chart is a visual representation of their expectations. It is a simple, picture-based checklist that shows the sequence of daily tasks for young children. Children crave order. Once they know what their expectations are, with no wiggle room, power struggles (like bedtime battles) become easier.
Since many toddlers aren’t reading, routine charts help children understand and see what comes next. It gives them ownership in the process as well. Visual cues turn abstract conversations and words into something concrete that can be interacted with. A routine chart can be laminated with velcro icons, magnetic with movable pieces, or even a printable sheet. Each chart should have 4-6 items to reduce stress and keep goals achievable.
How to Create a Toddler Routine Chart
Step One: Start with Clear, Specific Goals
Start by identifying what behaviors you are trying to change. The most important part of the process is identifying what your goals are. Is your child struggling to stay asleep all night? Is your child struggling to pick up their toys? Does your child struggle with using kind words? Any hurdle that you want to navigate with your child, should be addressed on the chart.
Step Two: Create the Chart
Use specific phrases on the chart like, “Go potty alone,” or “Stay in my room all night.” Start with five or six different goals or tasks to complete. Children thrive with visual aids. You can use stickers, stampers, or let your child use a crayon to “check off” or color in the appropriate boxes. When creating the chart, make sure the first item or the first few items are steps that your little one can do with ease. This enables your child to get the first few check marks, which always feels good to kids! We want your child to feel good about the process and be able to achieve check marks the first day or night.
Toddler routine chart DIY can be fun! Consider making the chart interactive. Use velcro, movable magnets (magnet board), or stickers so that your child can physically mark each step as done. Not only does an interactive chart feel more engaging, but it also instills more independence and ownership of actions or behaviors.
Step Three: Have a Family Meeting
I highly encourage you to really explain what the “plan” is and what your child will get in return: “We all need to stay in our beds all night until morning. And in the morning, after you sleep in your bed all night, you get X!!” Repetition of this will help your child understand the sequence and boundaries.
Explain to your child that if he or she completes all tasks successfully, they will get X prize/reward. Prizes don’t have to be presents, they can include special time with mom or dad, a special outing, stickers, a food treat (ie popsicle, mini M&Ms, mini marshmallows), etc. Think about what motivates them and use that as the motivation for completing the tasks.
Make sure you put the chart in a consistent spot. I would recommend putting the chart where the routine happens – bathroom door, bedroom wall, kitchen counter – whatever works best for you and your family.
Step Four: Lead with Positivity
As you start using this reward system, I would have you consider giving something small for each check mark to encourage continued positivity and excitement about the process. Kids are able to be excited about receiving rewards once they understand how much fun it can be and actually get to receive something. If you only plan to reward him or her once they are sleeping through the night, it won’t be really motivating since it may take a couple of weeks to do so.
If you decide to offer stickers because your child loves them, then consider giving a sticker for each check mark he receives each morning. Even if they struggle at bedtime, wake a few times at night, and get up early the next day, your child will still get at least a few stickers for completing his bedtime routine. This allows you to focus on something happy each morning, while quickly reviewing the things you want him to continue to work on (ie “you need to make sure that you are laying down, closing your eyes, and trying to go to sleep when the lights go off”). And of course, it allows your child to be excited about the entire process!
Step Five: Celebrate Small and Big Wins
Once your child is doing great, you can “graduate” to a single, more noteworthy prize. When they’re close to going to sleep independently, going potty independently, sleeping through the night, or whatever the goal is, you can talk about a bigger, one-time-only prize to help motivate him to “go all the way”. For example, you might have a special outing planned, dinner out with the family, a new toy, etc. Ideally, you would want to have this final prize be something pretty exciting to help motivate your child. Once they sleep through the night, with zero protesting, and the big prize is given, then you can stop giving the daily prizes.
Preschool Sleep Toolbox
Transitional Timer
Children struggle with transitions. Setting a timer can help them anticipate a change or transition in between activities or events. Setting a 2-3 minute timer can make a big difference. During that time, you can discuss happy thoughts for the day, your child can ask questions, and you can talk about the rules. When the timer goes off, it is really important to make that transition. Using a quick phrase like, “The timer went off so it’s time for you to go to sleep. I love you,” can help you exit the scene.
Okay-to Wake Clock
The “ok to wake” light/clock comes into play with the chart as well: the Hatch and LittleHippo are my favorite and most recommended ok to wake clocks. Your child will get a signal from the light/clock that it’s ok to wake up or come out of the bed/room when the clock turns yellow (or blue or whatever color is their favorite). Again, explain this to your child in simple terms. The repetition of this explanation will help to begin to understand how it works and how it fits into the reward chart. Even if we can get your child to stay in his or her room quietly until the clock/light goes off, this will be a success (and he should get a sticker).
Routines are powerful. Stay calm and keep language simple. Consistent bedtime and daily routines correlate to better quality sleep, easier bedtimes, and improved emotional and behavioral regulation. A toddler routine chart makes routines visible, gives toddler ownership, and creates consistency that supports behaviors during the day and at night.
Ultimately, the most important part of using a reward chart is staying consistent and holding the line. Your word is gold. If you explain the rules, you need to hold your child accountable for them. Children will push boundaries, and it’s our job to explain expectations and then uphold a standard. If you are struggling with toddler regressions, bedtime or naptime protesting, or sleep in general, please know that you are not alone! Toddler sleep is notoriously worse than newborn.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing for naps? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts, Central Michigan (Midland, Clare, Mt. Pleasant) and Traverse City, Michigan. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Danielle was amazing to work with! I have her coaching and encouragement to thank for getting us back on track with nap time and bedtime for our three year old! In less than a week she helped to get us on a great schedule with so many resources. Her positive feedback and troubleshooting along the way were so appreciated. I highly recommend for anyone to work with her and have already referred other families her way! Thank you!”
Mom of 3-Year-Old