A 40-minute bedtime ritual for ages 4 to 8
Same pieces, same order, every night: a playlist, two small choices, one book, one song and the same last line. Your kid knows what's next.
- Time
- 40 min
- Cost
- $0
- Ages
- 4 to 8
- Where
- Bathroom and bedroom
What you need
- A calm playlist or album, the same one every night
- A bedside lamp
- A book your kid picks
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- A stuffed animal or comfort item (optional)
Before you start
- Screens off early. AAP says to turn screens off at least 60 minutes before bedtime and keep them out of children's bedrooms, especially at night.
- Brush every night. AAP's Brush, Book, Bed routine has you help children brush their teeth each night, then read together before bed.
- Close the door. UL's Fire Safety Research Institute advises sleeping with the bedroom door closed, which can give everyone more time in a fire.
- Same time, same wake-up. CDC advises going to bed and getting up at the same time every day.
Steps
- Lights low, playlist on. Same playlist on. Big lights off, lamps on. About 8 minutes.
- Wash, pajamas, teeth, toilet, water. Wash, pajamas, teeth, last toilet trip, sip of water, in the same order. About 12 minutes.
- Two small choices. Two small choices, about 3 minutes: the book and the stuffed animal. Then no more bargaining.
- One book. Pick it before you sit down. Read one book, about 10 minutes.
- One song and one good thing. One short song. Then one good thing from today, each. About 5 minutes.
- The same last line. Same last words every night. Lamp off (a night-light is fine), door closed, and go. About 2 minutes.
If it stalls
- If they ask for one more book, point to the rule you set: "Tomorrow night we get our one book again."
- If bedtime keeps stretching, start 10 minutes earlier. Don't add steps.
Playlist on at
Lights out at
Ours, the same every night: playlist / song / last line
Nights in a row we've run it: Signed by Date