Bedtime: a social story about sleeping in my own bed

For children who find bedtime hard or come into your bed at night. The same calm steps, every night.

Read the story

By the Cala Luna team · Reviewed 24 October 2026 · The research behind it

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The story

Read it aloud together, one card at a time. Point to the pictures and let your child read the last card.

When it gets dark, it is nearly bedtime. Bedtime is at about the same time every night.
Screens go off. My body starts to get sleepy.
I have my bath or wash, put on my pyjamas, brush my teeth and go to the toilet.
In bed, my grown-up reads me a story. The lights are low and cosy.
If I have a worry, I can tell my grown-up before lights out.
We have a cuddle and say goodnight. Then my grown-up leaves while I am still awake.
I stay in my own bed with my teddy. My night light helps me see.
If I wake up in the night, I can hug my teddy and close my eyes again.
In the morning, I wake up in my own bed. I did it!

My calm plan

Pick one or two before the day, and practise them at home.

🧸 Hug my teddy
🫁 Slow breaths
💭 Tell a worry early
🌟 Night light on

Free printable social story from calalunakids.com/social-stories/bedtime/

Personalised social cartoon

Want this story with your child as the hero?

Cala Luna created personalised social cartoons: the social-story method, as a cartoon starring your child. Two minutes, their name, a hero who looks like them, and this exact moment, one small step at a time.

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Teo, a small lynx in a big yellow sun hat

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

Keep the same steps in the same order, at about the same time every night, weekends included. A picture chart shows what comes next.
Talk about worries earlier in the evening or at story time, not after lights out.
Leave while your child is still awake. If they are used to company, move away gradually over a week or two: sit by the bed, then by the door, then outside.
If they come out, walk them back calmly with few words. It often gets a little harder for a few nights before it gets easier.

Why these steps: what 30 years of research says about social stories.

Words that help

Try saying: "I will check on you in five minutes." (and do it)Instead of: "I will stay until you fall asleep." (if you plan to leave)
Try saying: "Back to your bed. Goodnight."Instead of: Long talks or getting cross in the night

Questions parents ask

My child is scared of the dark. What can I do?

A dim night light, a favourite teddy and talking about worries before bedtime help many children. Keep the room the same every night so it feels familiar.

How long does it take to move a child to their own bed?

Often one to three weeks with a steady routine and gradual steps. Starting on a Friday, when tired mornings matter less, helps some families.

Should I say I will check on them?

Only if you will. Checking briefly, as promised, builds trust; a promise that is not kept makes the next night harder.

We read the best free examples and guidance we could find, then wrote a shorter, simpler version in our own words: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust: establishing a bedtime routine (PDF); Raising Children Network: bedtime routines for school-age children. Not medical advice; if you are worried about your child, talk to their school or doctor.

Bedtime: a social story about sleeping in my own bed

The story

My calm plan

Want this story with your child as the hero?

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

Words that help

Questions parents ask

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