📅 My Daily Routine
A picture routine so your child always knows what’s coming next — and the day feels that bit calmer and more predictable.
How to use it at home
- Draw a simple picture (or stick a photo) for each step of the day.
- Go through it together each morning so your child knows the plan.
- Let them tick or move a peg as each step is done — they love this bit.
- Keep it in the same spot so it becomes part of the routine.
A quick preview — here’s what you’ll print:
- Draw a simple picture (or stick a photo) for each step of the day.
- Go through it together each morning so your child knows the plan.
- Let them tick or move a peg as each step is done — they love this bit.
- Keep it in the same spot so it becomes part of the routine.
Pairs with our free Better Sleep program at inclusivetherapycentre.com/home-programs
Why this helps
A visual routine works because children feel safest when they know what’s coming. Uncertainty is one of the biggest triggers for anxiety and meltdowns, and a picture plan quietly answers the question running through a child’s mind all day — ‘what happens next?’ That predictability lets them relax and get on with being a child.
It also hands a little control back to your child. Instead of being marched from one thing to the next, they can look at the chart, see the plan and move a peg themselves as each step is done. In our clinic, parents often tell us the transitions that used to spark the biggest fights become surprisingly smooth once the routine is on the wall.
Tips for using it well
- Do keep the chart at your child’s eye level, so it belongs to them and not to you.
- Don’t cram in every tiny detail — the main anchor points of the day are enough.
- Do use real photos or simple pictures for children who don’t yet read.
- Don’t abandon the routine on busy days; that’s often exactly when your child needs it most.
- Do warn your child gently before a change to the usual plan, and show it on the chart if you can.
Common questions
When’s the best time to go through the routine?
First thing in the morning works well, so your child starts the day knowing the plan. A quick look before each transition helps too, especially before the parts they find hard.
My child’s days are never the same — is a routine still worth it?
Yes. Even a flexible routine gives your child anchor points to hold onto, and you can add a ‘surprise’ or ‘something different’ card to show that a change is coming.
What if my child ignores the chart?
Keep gently drawing their attention to it and let them do the fun part — ticking or moving a peg. It usually takes a couple of weeks of steady use before a routine really settles in.
Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team · medically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS (GMC 8023727) · Last reviewed July 2026
Want help using these with your child?
A short, friendly conversation is the best first step. Call, text or WhatsApp us — we’ll listen and guide you, with no pressure.
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