Quick answer
Pick a template, edit the steps and print the chart. Our school morning template has 8 steps over 55 minutes: start at 6:30am and you are out the door by 7:25am. Bedtime has 6 steps over 60 minutes, from 7:30pm to lights out at 8:30pm. Every template includes quiet time or play, and rewards are off unless you turn them on.
The useful number: 8 steps, out the door by 7:25am: our school morning template from a 6:30am start.
Who is this for?
Parents of toddlers, preschoolers and primary school children who want calmer mornings, after-school hours and bedtimes. It also helps grandparents and helpers follow the same steps, and children who live in two homes can have a chart in each.
How do you build a routine that sticks?
- Pick a template: school morning, after school, bedtime or a toddler’s day at home.
- Set the start time. The chart adds clock times to each step.
- Reorder, add, remove or rename steps until it fits your home.
- Choose pictures, words or both. Pictures help children who cannot read yet.
- Mark steps an adult does, so the caregiver handover sheet lists them.
- Keep the quiet time or play step. Every template has one.
- Print on A4 and put it where your child can see it.
How long does each template take?
- School morning: 8 steps, 55 minutes
- 6:30am to 7:25am
- After school: 7 steps, 150 minutes
- 3:30pm to 6:00pm
- Bedtime: 6 steps, 60 minutes
- 7:30pm to 8:30pm
- Toddler day at home: 13 steps, 630 minutes, with a nap
- 7:00am to 5:30pm
The A4 chart fits up to 3 columns. Text never goes below 16 pt. Steps that do not fit at that size move to a second page.
Build it, print it, share it
The Visual routine builder makes the chart. Ready-made versions: Morning routine chart, After-school routine chart and Bedtime routine chart. Give caregivers the Caregiver handover sheet.
Two homes? Print a copy for each home. Or use “Export my plan” to save the routine as a file, and “Import a plan” to open it on the other phone. Each home can then change its own copy.
Starting P1 soon? My P1 transition plan uses the school morning chart, and MOE’s Parent Kit has more ideas. Next, check who covers each hour of the week with the Family care coverage planner.
What a routine chart cannot fix
A routine helps organise the day. It is not a treatment for burnout, developmental needs or family conflict. Talk to your doctor or a family service centre if you are worried. The templates are our suggestions; change any step or time.
Printables for this guide
Morning routine chart
A picture chart of the school morning in eight steps, from waking up to shoes on. Rest time is built in: 6:30am start, out by 7:25am.
After-school routine chart
A picture chart for after school in seven steps: snack, rest, homework or reading, outdoor play, shower and packing. Runs from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Bedtime routine chart
A picture chart for bedtime in six steps, from tidying up to a story and a chat about the day. 7:30pm start, lights out by 8:30pm.
Caregiver handover sheet
A daily sheet for parents, grandparents, helpers and centres: meals, sleep, mood, medicine and what comes next. Plus an About Our Child page for new carers.
Feelings check-in chart
Eight faces with feeling words, six calm-down choices, and a week of after-school and bedtime check-ins. No scores and no wrong answers.
Same-page house rules card
One card of house rules for parents, the helper and grandparents: screen time, bedtime, food, sweets and calm-down steps. Space for the helper's language too.
Potty training plan
Readiness signs from Families for Life (no scores), a step-by-step plan, a sticker chart, and notes for the preschool and helper.
Homework help scripts and homework hour plan
A homework-hour plan for each school day, plus script cards for whoever supervises: parent, helper or grandparent. When to encourage, stop or step back.
Calm-down cards in four languages
Eight calm-down cards for ages 3 to 8 in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Each has the words every adult can say, plus a calm corner for a small flat.
Make your own chart
Start from a template, reorder the steps, choose pictures or words and print a clear A4 chart.
Build your routine chart →Frequently asked questions
How do I make a visual routine chart for my child?
Pick a template, edit the steps and times, choose pictures or words, and print it on A4. Try the visual routine builder.
How long should a school morning routine take?
Our template takes 55 minutes over 8 steps, from 6:30am to 7:25am. Change any step to fit your morning.
Should I use stickers or rewards?
That is your choice. Rewards are off unless you switch them on, and the chart never keeps points or streaks.
Can grandparents or helpers use the same chart?
Yes. Mark the steps an adult does and print the caregiver handover sheet.
Can we use the same chart in two homes?
Yes. Print one for each home, or export the routine file and import it in the other home. Each home can change its own copy.
Keep this guide for the next big decision.
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