Free First-Then Board: Brush Teeth, Then Story
A two-cell First-Then board for hygiene routines: first brush teeth, then a story. Swap in your own steps, add pictures, and print laminate-ready.
- 2 steps
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
The printable is three pages: the board, matching cut-out cards, and a blank board. No email needed.
Toothbrushing can be one of the hardest parts of the bedtime routine, especially for children with sensory sensitivities, so pairing it with a favorite story gives that task a reason to happen. The First slot shows brushing teeth and the Then slot shows story time, and the two pictures together make the sequence clear. Your child can see that the part they may dislike is short and leads straight to the part they look forward to.
The board draws on the Premack principle, using a preferred activity like a bedtime story to motivate a less preferred one like brushing. Because a story is calm and predictable, it also fits naturally at the end of the day when you want things winding down. Keeping the reward visible during brushing helps a reluctant child stay with the task, since the payoff is right in front of them rather than a vague promise about what comes after.
Point to First and support your child through brushing, using the story picture as a gentle reminder of what is next, then move to Then and settle in to read. If brushing is genuinely painful because of texture or taste, the board helps with motivation but not with the sensory side, so it works best alongside a toothbrush and toothpaste your child can actually tolerate.
When to use this template
Use this board as part of the bedtime wind-down when brushing tends to get skipped or resisted, and when a story is already a reliable part of your child's night. It works best when the story follows brushing immediately so the reward stays clearly connected.
How to customize this template
- Swap the story picture for the specific book your child is loving right now, since a favorite title is more motivating than a generic book symbol.
- Add a real photo of your child's own toothbrush and reading corner so both steps are instantly familiar.
- Relabel the columns as Now and Next if that phrasing lands better for your child or matches what their school uses.
- Laminate the board and use Velcro so brushing can be paired with a different calm reward on nights when a story is not on the plan.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a First-Then board help at bedtime specifically?
- Evenings are when children are tired and least willing to do effortful tasks, so a visible reward gives brushing a clear purpose. The board also adds predictable structure, which many autistic children find calming before sleep. Seeing the story coming next makes the whole routine easier to move through.
- My child still hates brushing even with the board. What now?
- The board addresses motivation, not the physical discomfort of brushing. If the resistance is sensory, try a softer brush, a different toothpaste flavor, or a shorter brushing time. Once brushing itself is more tolerable, the First-Then reward usually works much better.
- Is First-Then the same as Now-Next?
- Yes, they are two names for the same tool. First and Then are common in many programs, while Now and Next appear often in schools, particularly in the UK. Use whichever wording your child recognizes and responds to most.
- When should I add a third step to this routine?
- Add a middle step once your child handles two steps comfortably and the routine has more than one part, such as brush teeth, then put on pajamas, then story. A three-step First-Next-Then board maps that out without overwhelming them. Start with two and expand only when they are ready.
- What age does this work for?
- It suits toddlers through early elementary age especially well, since bedtime routines and picture books are already central at those ages. Older children can use it too if brushing remains a struggle. Match the images to whatever your child recognizes most easily.