Morning-to-Bedtime Timeline Creation Activity

Objective: Students will create a visual timeline detailing their self-care routine from the moment they wake up until bedtime, identifying key tasks and time slots.

Materials Needed:

• Printed timeline template (showing hourly blocks from waking until bedtime)
• Colored pencils or markers
• Stickers or icons (optional)

Instructions (25 minutes):

1. Distribute one timeline template to each student.
2. Ask students to label key time blocks (for example: Wake-up, Breakfast, Morning Break, Lunch, Afternoon Break, After School, Evening, Bedtime).
3. In each time slot, have students draw or write the self-care tasks they normally do (e.g., brush teeth, hygiene routine, snack, movement break).
4. Encourage use of colors or stickers to make the timeline engaging and easy to read.
5. Once timelines are complete, students write a short sentence below explaining why they scheduled tasks in that order.

Reflection Questions (5 minutes):

• Which self-care task on your timeline do you think is most important? Why?
• What might you do if you don’t finish a task in the time you planned?
• How could you adjust your timeline to make sure you complete every self-care task?

Differentiation & Supports:

• Provide pre-printed self-care task icons for students who need extra support.
• Allow students to work in pairs to brainstorm and share ideas.
• Offer one-on-one guidance for labeling or spelling if needed.

Next Steps:

• Use this timeline to inform your Self-Care Checklist in the next activity.

Self-Care Checklist

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Use your Morning-to-Bedtime Timeline Creation to fill in times for each task.

Core Self-Care Routines

• Wake up & make your bed at _______
  
  
  
• Wash face & brush teeth at _______
  
  
  
• Eat a healthy breakfast at _______
  
  
  
• Stay hydrated (drink water) at _______
  
  
  
• Take a movement break (stretch/exercise) at _______
  
  
  
• Wash hands before lunch at _______
  
  
  
• Eat a healthy lunch at _______
  
  
  
• Evening hygiene (wash face & brush teeth) at _______
  
  
  
• Prepare clothes & backpack for tomorrow at _______
  
  
  
• Bedtime routine & go to sleep at _______
  
  
  

My Custom Self-Care Tasks

1. Task: _______________________________ Time: _______
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Task: _______________________________ Time: _______
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Task: _______________________________ Time: _______
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection Prompts

1. Which self-care task was easiest for you today? Why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Which task was most challenging? How will you make it easier tomorrow?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How did following a routine make your day better?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Keep this checklist handy and mark each task daily to build healthy habits and independence!

Why Routines Matter Discussion Guide

Time: 10 minutes
Materials:

• Healthy Habits Slides (slide with “Why Routines Matter”)
• Students’ completed timelines from Morning-to-Bedtime Timeline Creation
• Self-Care Checklist drafts or notes

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

• Remind students: a routine is a set of self-care tasks we do at regular times each day.
• Display the “Why Routines Matter” slide from Healthy Habits Slides.
• Explain: “Today we’ll talk about how routines help us feel better, stay healthy, and organize our day.”

2. Think–Pair–Share Activity (6 minutes)

1. Think (1 minute):

   • Prompt students to reflect silently on their timelines and checklists.
   • Question on board: “What is one big benefit you notice from having a routine?”
     
     
     
     

2. Pair (2 minutes):

   • Students turn to a partner to share their benefit and explain why it matters to them.
   • Encourage use of timeline or checklist: “Show your partner where that benefit fits in your schedule.”

3. Share (3 minutes):

   • Invite 2–3 pairs to share aloud:
     • What benefit did you choose?
     • How does that benefit make your day easier or happier?

3. Guided Group Discussion Questions (2 minutes)

Use these prompts to deepen the conversation.

1. What happens when you skip a self-care task?

   • Follow-up: Can you give a real example from your week?
   • Possible student response: Feeling tired, forgetting homework in a messy room.
   • Teacher tip: Validate feelings—“That sounds frustrating! How might a routine help avoid that?”

2. What challenges do you face in following a routine?

   • Follow-up: How could you solve or plan around that challenge?
   • Suggestion: Set an alarm, keep supplies in the same place, ask a family member for a reminder.

3. Which new self-care habit would you like to try adding? Why?

   • Follow-up: When on your timeline will you schedule this task?
   • Encourage specificity: “Tomorrow morning at 8:00 I will drink a full glass of water.”

4. Wrap-Up & Next Steps (1 minute)

• Summarize key points:
  • Routines make habits automatic.
  • Skipping tasks can cause stress or missed responsibilities.
• Remind students to transfer any new ideas into their Self-Care Checklist.
• Preview next session: refining your routine and tracking progress over a week.

Teacher Prompts & Supports

• Sentence Starters:
  • “I notice that when I… I feel…”
  • “One challenge I have is… I can try…”
• Extension: If a student struggles to answer, refer back to their timeline: “Let’s look at your afternoon break—what self-care happens then?”
• Encourage all voices: Use a talking stick or hand-raising to make sure everyone gets to share.