Do you have a hard time getting the little ones to cooperate and get ready for bed in a timely manner without you having to walk them through every step? I did! Subhan Allah, sometimes it would take me 40 minutes to get the three little ones down…the baby would be crying, I mean just exhausting!
I came up with a bedtime center so to speak for the three little ones, masha Allah.
We have tried it four nights now, and I can say it has been working. The little ones feel a sense of responsibility and independence being able to follow the cards I made them. I have cut the time down to 15 minutes! A half hour before bedtime, I simply hand them their cards one child at a time of course. They gather them in their hands and do the tasks on the cards. Subhan Allah, it worked and is still working! My 2 yr old absolutely loves his new bedtime routine and my 4 and 5 yr old really feel like big kids, being able to do it all on their own,masha Allah.
Here are a few pictures of the bedtime Center I made them:
I used 6 sheets of purple construction paper for the background and half a sheet for the pockets
The bedtime sign showing bedtime. I plan on buying a timer or a separate alarm clock to put near this center and set if for their bedtime,insha Allah.
Little Missy is the oldest of the three little ones so she has a few more cards than the 2 boys
Here is my Big Lug’s pocket he has less cards than Missy but more than Chunk
Chunks cards are mainly just pictures except one, the cup which is a 3 letter word that I thought maybe he could learn, insha Allah.
I printed the cards on regular copy paper and glued them to cereal boxes to help with durability. I then stapled them to the popsicle sticks.
Close up of the cards on their sticks
Close up of card
Another close up
I really believe that children love routine,responsibility, and independence. The Center has really helped them grow just a little independent. It actually makes my night easier when getting them in the bed. Insha Allah they will be grabbing their cards on their own one day and just do the tasks without any assistance from me. We have a little more structure in the house now, masha Allah.
Here is the file for you to use if you like: bedtime2
Here is the site where I found the images if you would like to make your own bedtime center: Do2Learn
Umm Abdul Basir's 