Change is hard! Whether road construction takes you another route or you've ordered regular and received decaf; dealing with change is frustrating. As adults, we can rationalize and adapt to change but for children who have not yet developed these coping mechanisms, change can cause them to struggle and to act out in socially unacceptable ways. Tantrums, physical aggression, screaming and noncompliance are just a few challenging behaviors that young children display when they are asked to change; or transition, from one activity to another. Moving from home to school, from bathtime to bedtime and from the park to home are all examples of transitions that children face in their daily lives.
As educators of young children, we think about transitions and their effects on the children in our classrooms. There are many strategies that we use to support children during transitions that can be implemented universally. These tried and true strategies will help you support your child throughout the day as well:
1. First and foremost, know your child. Tired and/or hungry children have an especially hard time with transitions. Read their cues and set them up to be successful.
2. Have realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for your child. You wouldn't expect your toddler to pick up a book and start reading, so don't expect a toddler to know how to deal with change without practicing and developing the social emotional skills first. You can set your child up to transition positively by teaching them the skills needed to be successful. Putting on their socks and shoes, hoping into a carseat and washing hands are all examples of independent skills that encourage children to transition from one activity to another smoothly.
3. Give your child the language necessary to communicate their feelings. When your child begins to look upset when it is time to transition from the park to home, label the emotion that they are feeling. "You look upset that it is time to go home. We have to start dinner, but we can come back another day." In this example you have labeled the big feeling that your child is experiencing while telling your child that you understand the reason behind the emotion.
4. Rely on when/then phrases to communicate your expectation while letting your child know what comes next. When you go down the slide three more times then we are going home. This when-then strategy respectfully sets limits and prepares your child for the transition that is about to take place.
5. Ask a teacher! Partnering will help you to individualize your transition strategies to support your child's developing skills. Messages that are conveyed consistently support children in understanding and making connections. Inquire about what works in the classroom. Using the same strategies help to make the learning connections between home and school. Collaboration benefits everyone involved; particularly children as they navigate through daily transitions.
For strategies that address specific transitions, please visit the following links from the Backpack Connection Series from ChallengingBehavior.org :
How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Morning
https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/docs/backpack/BackpackConnection_routines_morning.pdf
How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Bedtime
https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/docs/backpack/BackpackConnection_routines_bedtime.pdf
How to Help Your Child Transition Smoothly Between Places and Activities
https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/docs/backpack/BackpackConnection_routines_transitions.pdf
