The Importance of Transitions for Young Children

Posted on December 9, 2024 by CHS
Effective and consistent transitions are an essential support system in a child's life. When considering a child's perspective during a routine or sudden change (schedule, caregiver, environment, etc.), caregivers can help children feel connected, successful, and confident in new environments, significantly impacting their sense of belonging, social-emotional wellbeing, and academic success.
How can we support smooth transitions? One method of support is understanding the child's temperament and adapting strategies according to the child’s specific needs.
Temperament can affect a child's ability to respond to transitions. Some children may be more flexible, while others may need more adult guidance.
What is a child's temperament?
Temperament describes a child's emotional style and how they adapt to different situations. A child's temperament can be influenced by their experiences and interactions with other people. Their environment and their health can also affect a child's temperament.
Some examples of different temperaments can include:
The comfortable child
These children respond positively to the world and experience emotions that are mild to moderately intense. They adapt quickly to new situations and people with a relatively minor level of anxiety.
The slow-to-warm-up, hesitant, or shy child
These children respond with mild intensity and usually adapt slowly to unfamiliar situations and people. They are often hesitant when meeting new people and in new circumstances but eventually feel comfortable.
The anxious or uncomfortable child
This is a child who may be fussy or prone to temper tantrums. They may be occasionally stubborn or emotionally intense when introduced to new situations.
Some children with more challenging temperaments have difficulty adjusting to school, leading to possible behavioral problems. Receiving appropriate support and guidance early on can reduce challenges later on.
Other tools of support for smooth transitions can include:
Scenario example: Getting ready for school
The child has packed their backpack the day before, picked a few clothing options, knows where their shoes are, and went to sleep on time. The following morning, the child has some time to wake up, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, change, and gather their belongings without rushing out the door. Transitions like this take lots of practice, flexibility, and realistic expectations. However, consistent schedules can offer children structure, decreasing tantrums or meltdowns.
Visual Timers are devices that provide a visual representation of time. They can be used for various situations to help manage time more effectively. They offer a clear and understandable representation of time, which can support young children and children with learning disabilities. Visual timers can also assist in alleviating nervousness, providing a sense of predictability. Visual clocks can also be a fun and engaging approach to complete clean-up, finish activities, etc. Some examples of timers are sand timers, countdown clocks, or digital clocks.
Visual Schedules encourage children to become more independent. They provide cues for the next activity and help children plan what’s next throughout their day. Like visual timers, they help children reduce nervousness by offering a form of security and consistency throughout their day.
Praising smooth transitions reassures the child that they are on the right path and that their efforts are valued. Identifying when things go well and providing positive feedback is very important. For example, “Thank you for picking up the toys during clean up; I especially liked how you placed the toys in the correct bin. Did the pictures help you know where to put them?”
Providing the opportunity to bring comfort items to new locations, such as a family photo album, a teddy bear, or a piece of clothing that smells like a parent, can help children feel connected to their family and ease nervous feelings.
As children feel connected and confident in new environments with the support of consistent transitions and mindful supportive caregivers, they build self-esteem and self-confidence when placed in new situations, helping them to explore future endeavors and adapt to new adventures with more enthusiasm.
Looking for new activities to do with your child? Please visit our Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) website and take a look at our Activity Sheets.
References and Resources
Children's Home Society of California | Activity Sheets
Confidence and Self-Esteem in Children - Child Mind Institute
Message in a Backpack ™ Spark Creative Thinking with Open-Ended Questions | NAEYC
Mindful Caregivers - Sesame Workshop
Routines to Help Children Rest and Sleep - Sesame Workshop
Supporting Transitions Both Big and Small | ECLKC
Transition Time: Going Activity to Activity - Sesame Workshop
Teaching Strategies - Using a Visual Schedule With Preschoolers
Understanding Your Child's Temperament: Why It's Important - HealthyChildren.org