Transition Time for Preschoolers
Help Preschoolers Learn How to Change Activities without Tantrums
Preschoolers often have a difficult time with transitions. Learning how to effectively handle transitions is a gentle discipline skill that will help you and your child.
For young children, transitions can prove unsettling and can result in a tantrum. Children get engrossed in an activity, whether that be playing, watching television or spending time with the dog. When it’s time to change to the next activity, most children struggle with the transition. Many are so upset about changing activities that they tantrum or lash out at their parents.
Some common transitions that prove to be frequent trouble spots are bedtime, leaving the house, sitting down for a meal and bath time. Here are some tips that will make these and other transitions easier for most preschoolers.
Give Warnings before Changing Activities
Start with ten minute warnings before it’s time to end an activity. Then give warnings at intervals until the time is up. Abrupt changes in activity will be hard for most children. But, if the child knows a transition is coming and he has a chance to finish what he is doing, he is more likely to be agreeable.
Use a Timer to Signal the End of an Activity
Timers can be particularly effective tools at transition time for young children. When it’s time to give the ten minute warning, set the timer for ten minutes. Once the timer goes off, the child knows that it is time to move to the next activity.
Timers can also be used for children that drag their feet and have trouble completing tasks while transitioning. A child that takes a half hour to finish tooth brushing at bedtime can be challenged to brush his teeth in two minutes with the use of the timer. Many children will find it fun to race the timer to get their coats and shoes on when it’s time to leave the house.
Follow a Routine during Transitions
Preschoolers are especially responsive to routines. Each transition, especially those, like bedtime, that occur daily, should follow the same pattern every day. The starting time isn’t as important as a consistent routine during the transition.
A typical bedtime routine should always start the same way, have a few short activities, such as a story, and then end the same way. Your child may still protest when bedtime is announced, but once the routine is started, he will most likely settle down quickly as he enjoys the story and the time with his parent.
Practice Difficult Transitions Frequently
If the difficult transitions happen outside of the home at preschool or when visiting friends, you may want to practice with your child. Some children have trouble leaving a friend’s house at the end of a play date. Practice this transition at home. Keep the routine simple each time you do it. Soon, your child will settle into the familiarity of the routine and will be more cooperative the next time you are out.
If you find that your preschooler is having a difficult time with transitions at school, ask the teacher if you can observe a class. Then, practice the transitions that occur during a typical school day. Be sure to keep the routine the same as the teacher’s routine so that your child becomes comfortable with the expectations.
For more information on gentle discipline, read Keys to Gentle Discipline.
