How to Make a Visual Bedtime Routine for Your Toddler
Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS
Bedtime can be one of the hardest parts of the day, especially when your toddler is tired and every step turns into a negotiation. A visual bedtime routine shows your child what happens next using pictures, so there is less arguing and more predictability. Here is how to make one at home in an evening.
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Why a Visual Routine Helps
Young children often understand pictures more easily than spoken words, especially when they are tired. A visual routine:
Shows your child what is coming next, which can reduce worry and resistance
Cuts down on repeated reminders and nagging
Gives your child a sense of control because they can see the plan
Keeps the routine the same, no matter who is putting your child to bed
Visual supports are often used for children who find changes difficult. Our article on why some children have difficulty with transitions explains more about why moving from one activity to the next can be hard.
Step 1: Choose 4 to 6 Steps
Keep it short. Too many steps can feel overwhelming for a toddler. A typical bedtime routine might be:
Bath
Pyjamas
Brush teeth
Toilet
Story
Bed
Choose steps that match what already happens in your home. You can always add more later.
Step 2: Use Real Photos
For toddlers, real photos usually work better than cartoons or icons. Take a quick photo of each step using your own things: your child's toothbrush, their pyjamas, their bed. Your child can even help you take the photos.
Print the photos, or draw simple pictures if printing is not easy. Laminating them or covering them with clear tape helps them last.
Step 3: Put It at Your Child's Eye Level
Stick the photos in a row, left to right or top to bottom, on a strip of card. Place the strip somewhere your child can easily see and reach, such as on their bedroom door or a wall near the bathroom.
If your bedtime routine moves around the house, a small portable strip or a ring of cards can work well.
Step 4: Point and Go
When it is time for the next step, point to the picture and use a few simple words. "Bath time," then walk to the bathroom together.
Let the picture do most of the talking. Fewer words means less to argue with.
Step 5: Mark Each Step as Done
After each step, help your child mark it as finished. You can:
Turn the photo over
Move it into a "done" pocket or envelope
Pull it off if it is attached with Velcro or Blu Tack
This makes progress visible and gives your child a small sense of achievement.
Step 6: End With Something Nice
Make the last step something your child looks forward to, such as a favourite story, a cuddle or a special song. When the routine ends with something pleasant, the earlier steps become easier to get through.
Keep the Same Order Every Night
Consistency is what makes the routine work. Try to follow the same steps, in the same order, at roughly the same time each night. If something has to change, such as skipping a bath, show your child on the strip before it happens.
Offer Small Choices
Toddlers like having some control. Build in small choices within the routine:
"Do you want the blue pyjamas or the dinosaur pyjamas?"
"Which book tonight, this one or that one?"
"Strawberry toothpaste or mint?"
Choices give your child a say without changing the plan.
Make Sure Everyone Uses the Same Strip
If grandparents, your helper or another carer sometimes does bedtime, show them how the strip works. When everyone uses the same pictures and the same words, your child gets a clear, steady message.
Use It for Other Routines Too
Once your child is used to a visual bedtime routine, you can use the same idea for other parts of the day, such as the morning routine, getting ready for preschool or toileting.
Give It Time
Some children take to a visual routine straight away. Others need a couple of weeks before it becomes familiar. Stay patient and keep using it, even on nights when it seems to make little difference.
If bedtime remains very difficult, or your child has ongoing sleep problems, it may help to speak to your doctor or a professional.
This article is general information and not medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's sleep or development, please speak to your doctor or a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I start a visual routine?
Many toddlers can start using a simple visual routine from around two years old, and some younger children benefit too. Start with just two or three steps and add more as your child gets used to it.
What if my child refuses to follow the pictures?
That is common at the start. Keep it short, point to the picture, and gently help your child through each step. Praise any small effort. Make sure the last step is something they enjoy so there is a reason to keep going.
Should I use photos or cartoon pictures?
For toddlers, real photos of your own things are usually easiest to understand. Older children may be fine with simple drawings or icons. Use whatever your child recognises best.
Talk to ABA LABS
At ABA LABS, we help families set up practical routines and visual supports that fit their child and their home. If bedtime or other daily routines are a struggle, book a free consultation with our team. You can also download our free milestone checklist to see what is typical for your child's age.
Sources
National Autistic Society. Autism and communication (visual supports)
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