Parents & caregivers

Build home-first stories that fit your routines

Use developmental stories to make everyday moments feel calmer, more predictable, and easier to rehearse. These prompts focus on the language children hear most at home, with flexible details you can personalize.

Common goals for families

Keep stories short, gentle, and focused on what the child can do.

Daily routines

Keep mornings, meals, and bedtime predictable with a few calm sentences and a visual cue.

Transitions

Prepare for handoffs between caregivers, new babysitters, or shifts in the weekly schedule.

Community outings

Rehearse grocery trips, playground visits, or family events so expectations feel clear.

Big feelings

Offer coping options for frustration, waiting, or sensory overload with language that feels safe.

Prompts that keep it personal

Use these questions to keep the story grounded in your child's real-life experience.

  • What does the child already do well in this routine?
  • Which sensory supports (headphones, fidgets, movement breaks) are helpful?
  • Who will be there to help, and how can the child ask for support?
  • What happens after the routine ends so they know what comes next?

Sample story starters

Use a starter, then personalize the child's name, setting, and favorite coping tools.

Leaving for school

I check my backpack, take a deep breath, and walk with my grown-up.

Waiting at the doctor

I can look at my book while I wait and ask for a hug if I feel nervous.

Sharing toys

When I want a turn, I can say, “Can I have the next turn?”