Making a morning routine chart for school
Mornings feel rushed not because there's so much to do, but because you have to decide what comes next every single time.
Set the order once
The morning routine is the same every day. Once you set the order and make it into cards, the cards tell your child what to do next, so you don't have to say each step.
- Write the steps in the order you actually do them at home (wash → clothes → breakfast → bag)
- Put steps that take a long time near the start
- Make the last card a clear finish, like "go to the front door"
Get half of it done the night before
- Lay out tomorrow's clothes in one place
- Pack the bag ahead of time and leave it by the front door
- Before bed, flip through tomorrow's routine cards together once
Using it in the morning
Keep the device in the same spot every day, and let your child check off each card when it's done. When your child stops, point to the card instead of hurrying them with words.
When everything is done, give the reward you chose right away. Since there's not much time before school, something short like one favorite song works well.
Rainy days and gym days
For days that are different from usual, make one more routine. In ELUM, write something like "get ready for school on a rainy day," and you get cards that include an umbrella and rain boots.
Action card example: getting ready for school
- 1Wash your faceWash and dry your face
- 2Get dressedPut on the clothes laid out
- 3Eat breakfastSit at the table to eat
- 4Brush your teethBrush top and bottom
- 5Put on your backpackGo to the front door
All done: one favorite song
Frequently asked questions
Every morning, my child gets stuck on one step for a long time.
What about weekends?
This article is a guide for everyday routines. ELUM does not replace diagnosis or treatment.
Read next
Task analysis: breaking routines into small stepsWhen "brush your teeth" is too much, break it down. Use task analysis to turn brushing, dressing and handwashing into action card steps, with examples.
How to choose rewards: small, right away, decided aheadHow to choose a reward for finishing a routine: pick small rewards you can give right away, use a sticker or star reward chart, and fade rewards over time.