Harvey Gets Ready for Bed

Note to Parents: Encourage children to repeat or count their own bedtime steps. Predictable routines promote calm and better sleep.

Story

Hi again—it’s Harvey. It’s my favorite time of day—bedtime! Some dogs like mornings best, but I love the quiet before sleep. My bedtime starts the same way every night. I pick up my toys and put them back in their basket. Then I eat a small bedtime snack and drink a little water. After that, I brush my teeth—swish, swish!—and wash my paws and face. Mom says routines help our bodies know it’s time to rest. I think she’s right. Each step feels like a soft step toward sleep. When everything’s ready, I climb into my bed and pull up my blanket. I can hear the crickets singing outside. Their song is slow and steady—like a lullaby just for me. Sometimes, I take one deep breath for every step I did to get ready: One for putting away my toys. One for brushing my teeth. One for washing up. One for crawling into bed. And one for saying good night. Now I feel calm and proud. My day is done, and my heart feels happy. Good night, my friends. Sweet dreams.