Childhood101

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Printable Picture Routine Cards

Literacy is essential to everyday life. We are surrounded by text in our homes, shops, schools, even our streets. Looking for opportunities for children to engage with elements of literacy in their everyday lives helps them to learn that these funny symbols we call letters can be used to represent places, people, things and ideas.

Routine cards download

Using words and pictures to help our children follow daily routines or rhythms is one simple way of achieving this engagement.

Routine Cards to download

When I had the idea of writing this post about adding literacy to daily routines, I came across this post over at Planning with Kids about the value of using a routine chart to encourage a sense of responsibility and independence in young children.

Following Planning Queen’s lead, I decided to take some photographs representing Immy’s morning and evening routines, and then I had the thought – why not take photos that everyone can use 🙂  Click on any of the images above to download a pdf document of all four pages (14 cards in all). Pick and choose the ones which represent your morning or bedtime routine, print, cut out and laminate to use with your young child as a simple literary prompt which fits into every day.

UPDATED: Now with Sunscreen and Hat cards! You can download the entire collection here.

routine cards

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Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Read more of Christie's adventures at https://childhood101.com.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  5. Stacey Hewson says

    June 20, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Medications, I have hree children who require medications twice daily. We have to put it into the routine just like brushing teeth. One slip up and forgetfulness can have on going effects. A photo of that kind of thing would be great.

  7. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    June 20, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    These are fabulous! I was thinking of making up routine charts for my kiddies with hand drawn images, never even thought of taking photos, silly me. Thank you, you just made that future project so easy now :-) A tidy room one would be great too!

  8. Jessie says

    June 20, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Thanks for posting these routine cards! I have been planning on making some myself, but you've given me a great start. I think this will really help my 20 mo. old.

  9. Jessie says

    June 20, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Ideas for other routine cards: "Mommy Goes to Work" "Mommy comes home" "Papa Goes to Work" "Papa Comes Home" "Library Time"

  11. Renee Taprell says

    June 20, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    What a fabulous idea! The possibilities are endless. You could do starting school cards, what to remember to pack in your school bag, a toileting routine for children just starting- flush toilet, wash hands, etc. You could even do a night time routine, dinner, bath, brush teeth, share a book and settle in bed. They are fabulous for encouraging children to read the visual clues, follow instructions, thus gaining independence.

  13. SquiggleMum says

    June 20, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Please take a toilet/potty photo! Some kids go when they feel the urge, but others need constant reminders as part of their routine.

  14. Terri says

    June 20, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    These are great! I'm definitely printing these out for my 4-yr-old who has lately developed in interest in learning to read. This would be a wonderful way to help her familiarize herself with some common words, as well as remind her of her bedtime routine! I'll also be linking from my blog.... these are too good to keep to myself!

  15. Monique says

    June 30, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Fabulous! I was already planning to work on a picture daily schedule to help my daughter with being more focused as we prepare for kindy - thank you!

  16. Rachel says

    July 4, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Love this idea. Very cute photos. Just a thought- would the photos being the same but the activity being different be a little confusing? What if the teady was "in bed" for the "Bedtime" card for example? What if we could print out the cards after adding our own photos? Like a template. We could all add our own photos of "tidy room" for example with our childs own room or even them tidying? I have just stumbled onto this blog looking for dress up DIY ideas, love the wardrobe idea! Never would have thought of door knobs but with two toddlers sharing a room this is a really good idea!!!! THANKYOU.

  19. Rachel says

    July 8, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    LOVE, love, love these cards - was just about to do some hand drawn ones myself too and then these popped up. Would also love some chore based ones too. ie tidy room, pick up toys, set table, put dirty dishes on sink, quiet time, reading time. I also like the toilet idea and how about a washing hands (ie before eating and after toilet)

  20. Monique says

    September 13, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    The morning routine has been working great for my new kindergartener. Would love to see more for evening routine such as dinner, pajamas, story, etc. Thanks!

  21. Tammy says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    I was wondering if you know were i can find Printable cards for Daily routine for a day care like what the kids do during the day. Circle time Breakfast outside time. Playtime. Center time school work time. Don't know if you can help me or not

  22. Inga says

    January 1, 2012 at 3:30 AM

    What about lunch and dinner? I am trying to teach my son different times of day and when we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. And maybe nap? I'm trying to teach him that word especially since it's CVC and an easy word family.

  24. Michelle says

    January 18, 2012 at 11:06 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to make these and to make them available for free! My husband has been reading "Tools of the Mind" and he said they recommend cards like this. And happily, I just need to print and laminated these! My recommendation would be for vitamins and/or medications. We live in Canada and its recommended that children receive vitamin D drops, especially in the winter. We always forget to do this simple task (it's literally one drop!) and I've love to add it to our to-dos.

  27. Salina says

    September 10, 2013 at 4:30 AM

    These are great!!!! Could you, by any chance, make a set for boys? That would be awesome for the make your bed card, the get dressed card, bedtime and bath time one. Please! :-)

  28. Heather says

    March 12, 2014 at 4:21 AM

    These are great! I have something like this in place for our kiddos, I just looked up clip art for our activities. Yours are better though! ;-) I can't wait to see what else you come up with. Thank you for sharing!

  29. Cas says

    March 12, 2014 at 4:34 AM

    LOVE these! Can't wait to see more! Some ideas: Story time Reading time Wash hands Pick up toys Outside play Quiet time School time Art time Feed pets We're homeschooling in South America and I was going to make some of these, thank you for saving me the time! :D

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