Consider trying a musical routine. We use songs for each step before bedtime. For example, whistle while you work is for cleanup and ants in my pants for changing into pajamas. The playlist plays in the same order and each chore is done to a calmer song than the one before it. It gives a time limit for everything which helps to avoid stalling and depicts a routine and order that is the same every night which helps cue their brains into calming down before they even touch the bed. We pause the music for a story or two if they have been "on time" with the music and then calming lullabies play for about 40 minutes after that. It helps to make the routine fun, regular and predictable and also calming. I have more examples and ideas on my website if you wish for more info. http://pinchxeverything.blogspot.com/2012/07/routines-get-up-and-go-and-bedtime.html#!/2012/07/routines-get-up-and-go-and-bedtime.html We also use a similar routine for getting up and getting going in the morning.

Try a musical routine.

We use songs for each step before bedtime. For example, whistle while you work is for cleanup and ants in my pants for changing into pajamas. The playlist plays in the same order and each chore is done to a calmer song than the one before it. It gives a time limit for everything which helps to avoid stalling and depicts a routine and order that is the same every night which helps cue their brains into calming down before they even touch the bed. We pause the music for a story or two if they have been "on time" with the music and then calming lullabies play for about 40 minutes after that. It helps to make the routine fun, regular and predictable and also calming. I have more examples and ideas on my website if you wish for more info. http://pinchxeverything.blogspot.com/2012/07/routines-get-up-and-go-and-bedtime.html#!/2012/07/routines-get-up-and-go-and-bedtime.html We also use a similar routine for getting up and getting going in the morning.