Making Routines Stick Beyond September - The Power of a Checklist
By now, we hope you’ve had a productive and insightful conversation that allowed everyone in your family to get on the same page about routines. (If you need a reminder of how to start that conversation, visit our last post here.)
Once your family has identified why a routine would be helpful, the next step is exploring tools to support that routine.
Why Start with a Checklist?
One of the simplest and most effective tools is a checklist. More than just keeping tasks organized, checklists give students a clear roadmap to follow.
As Jennifer Woods reminds us, “Checklists can relieve some cognitive load, providing a structure that prevents our forgetting important details.” (Edutopia)
At home, this means your child doesn’t have to hold every step in their head. A checklist gives them a simple visual guide, which reduces stress, supports independence, and makes it more likely the routine will actually stick.
We’re focusing intentionally on this one tool because it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying too many strategies at once. When that happens, nothing sticks, everyone feels discouraged, and you end up back at square one. Set yourself up for success by starting small—stick with this tool for now.
Creating and Introducing a Checklist
Let’s use a morning routine as an example.
With a continued focus on everyone staying on the same page with shared expectations, begin by having a conversation as you create the tool. Ask curious, open-ended questions such as:
What do you think should go on your checklist?
What do you need to get done in the morning so you can leave the house ready for the day?
These questions invite participation and encourage ownership.
Tip: To support buy-in, let your kids take the lead! Even if they only want a checklist for one small part of the morning—like getting dressed—it may reveal an area where they need more support. Use this as an opportunity to better understand how they’re experiencing their day.
Once you’ve decided what belongs on the checklist, keep it simple and easy to access.
For younger students: Use pictures, simple words, or both to support understanding. You might add fun touches like stickers, colors, or decorations based on your child’s interests to make the checklist more motivating. Posting the checklist on the fridge or taping it near the bedroom door, will support consistent use.
For older students: A paper checklist might feel too young, so consider a digital version. They might prefer a digital checklist on their phones or even Alexa, using the Task Tracker blueprint to create a customizable checklist. This tool allows you to add tasks, personalize messages, and use voice prompts to guide your child through their routine, making it a flexible option for managing daily agendas.
Offering Support
It can be tempting to step in with reminders—or even just do the task yourself— especially when you’re short on time. But when you do, the checklist no longer serves its purpose.
Instead, try pausing. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and then ask:
Are you thinking about what you need to do next, or do you need a reminder?
If your child needs help, guide them back to the checklist and encourage them to say the next step out loud in their own words. This shifts the responsibility to the tool and builds your child’s independence, while still giving them the support they need.
Keeping Perspective
No routine will run perfectly every single day. What matters most is consistency and the willingness to adjust when things don’t go as planned. Celebrate small wins, trust your child’s growing independence, and remember, progress is the goal.
Use our free Checklist Builder for Families to work together with your child to create a routine checklist that builds confidence, independence, and predictability in your day. Click the image below to download your copy here
