Brushing My Teeth at Night
Marcus learns why brushing his teeth before bedtime is important and discovers that it's a helpful routine that gets him ready for sleep. This story explains the purpose behind the routine and uses dinosaurs as a motivating theme.
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Read the Story
7 pages · 6 min read read
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Read the Story
7 pages · 6 min read read
My name is Marcus. At nighttime, I brush my teeth before I go to bed. Brushing my teeth is something I do every night to help my body get ready for sleep.
During the day, I eat food and drink juice. The food leaves tiny bits and germs on my teeth. These germs are so small I cannot see them. Brushing my teeth helps wash away the germs and food bits.
When I brush my teeth, I use my dinosaur toothbrush. The toothbrush has soft bristles that gently clean my teeth. I put a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles. The toothpaste tastes a little bit fruity and helps make my teeth clean and strong.
I brush the top teeth first. I move the toothbrush gently back and forth, up and down. Then I brush the bottom teeth the same way. Brushing takes about as long as singing a short song.
When I am done brushing, I rinse my mouth with water. The water helps wash away the extra toothpaste and all the germs I brushed away. My mouth feels fresh and clean after rinsing.
After I brush my teeth, my mouth feels clean and fresh. Clean teeth help me stay healthy. Brushing my teeth also helps my body know that bedtime is coming soon. This helps my body get ready to sleep.
Brushing my teeth before bed is something I do to take care of my body. It makes my teeth strong and healthy. Now I am ready for a good night's sleep. I am a big helper when I brush my teeth at night!
Social Story Methodology
Why This Story Works
Nighttime tooth brushing combines a concrete, predictable sequence with sensory details that help children understand *why* they're doing this task—not just that they should. By naming the specific toothbrush (dinosaur), describing the toothpaste taste (fruity), and anchoring the duration to something relatable (a short song), this story gives children with autism or anxiety the visual and temporal scaffolding Carol Gray's methodology emphasizes, transforming an abstract hygiene task into a clear, manageable routine.
Story Structure
How It's Written
Sentence Types
Voice & Perspective
Story Structure
Practical Guidance
Ways to Use This Story
Sing the Same Song Every Night
Take a Photo of the Dinosaur Toothbrush Setup
Create a Brushing Checklist with the Story Steps
Read the Story Right Before Bedtime Routine Begins
Celebrate the 'Fresh and Clean' Feeling
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