Doodlebark
“Me first!” “No, ME first!” If bedtime at your house starts with a fight over who goes first, this one’s for you. Play the song, print the chart, and let the chart make the call.
Sing along
Who goes first?
Let’s check the chart!
My sister wants to go first
And I want to go first too
We both start getting grumpy
So what are we gonna do?
My turn, your turn
Check the chart and see
Monday’s me, Tuesday’s you
Fair as fair can be
My turn, your turn
No more fuss or fight
We take turns like Penny does
Every single night
Penny waits to get her treat
While her buddy has a bite
Waiting’s hard, but then it’s her turn
And that feels just right
(Chorus)
Whose turn is it?
Check the chart!
Who goes next?
You do! Great start!
My turn, your turn, we both win
Get the free turn chart
Our Who Goes First? tracker is free. Type both kids’ names once and the whole week fills in: who brushes first, who bathes first, who picks the story, and who gets the front seat.
How to set it up
- Fill it in together. Let the kids watch you type their names. They’re more likely to go along with a plan they helped make.
- Hang it where the fights happen. The bathroom door or the fridge works well.
- Point, don’t argue. When someone says “Me first!”, just ask, “What does the chart say?”
- Stick with it. The chart only works if it’s the one making the call.
Talk about it
- How did Penny feel while she waited for her treat?
- What’s something that’s hard to wait for?
- What can you do while you wait for your turn?
Read the story
In Penny Goes First, Penny and her little sister Poppy fight over the sink every night until Mama hangs a turn chart on the fridge. It’s a printable storybook with a turn chart in the back. See it in the shop.
Questions parents ask
How do I stop my kids from fighting over who goes first?
Take the choice out of it. A simple turn chart that switches each night means the chart decides, not the loudest voice.
What age can kids use a turn chart?
Most kids around 3 and up can follow a turn chart, especially with pictures or their names in big letters.
Is the Who Goes First chart really free?
Yes. Sign up on our free printable page and we’ll send it to you. It’s a fillable PDF, so you just type both names once.