Toddler's Transition

Helping Your Child Make Transitions

     Transitions are a part of your child’s life every day. Many times, during the course of a day, your child stops one activity and begins another. Sometimes transitions are child’s choice. But often they are not.

      Here is an example. She is playing with blocks and just made a tall tower. She is making sure the blocks stack just right. You suddenly realize it’s past bedtime. You tell her that its’s time to put the blocks away and get ready for bed. If she isn’t ready to go. you can guess what will happen next! 

     Your child’s second year of life may be a time when transitions are especially difficult for her. She is learning to control her emotions and react to changes in routines. But it takes time for these skills to develop. Planning and patience will help her become more comfortable with changes as she grows.

The Role of Temperaments 

By now you know your child has a personal style that’s all her own. She may be flexible and easygoing. She may need routines to be the same each day. She may be intense and show a lot of emotions. She may be so even tempered that not much upsets her.

One personal style is not better than another. But temperament does play a role in how easily your toddler accepts changes.

Even an easygoing child will have times when making transitions will be more difficult During her seconds and third years, she wants to be independents! Transitions may be particularly hard for your child because of this.

Help in Transition

     How you can help?

·       Allow Plenty of time for changing an activity.

Trying to rush a toddler is sure way to make the process bumpier. You can’t avoid every time crunch. But planning extra time for transitions will help both of you.

·       Talk to your child about what’s going to happen.

Give a warning a few minutes before the time to make a transition. Offer a short explanation of what is happening next “ You have five more minutes to play. When it’s time to leave the park, we will get in the car and go to the store”

·       Establish routines for transitions that occur every day or every week.

     Plan a bedtime routine that helps your toddler quite down from active play. Set routines for other daily transitions too. Getting dressed in the morning; get ready for school; coming to the table to eat after washing hand.

·       Allow your child to use transitional Objects.

These are things that help your child feel secure. She may choose a blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, or he thumb for comfort. This is not a sign of weakness or insecurity. In the next few years, you will notice that your toddler uses this object less and less.

·       Sometimes it is helpful to take an object from one activity into the next.

For Example, you might suggest that your child bring a stone home from playground or take a drawing to grandma’s house.

·       Songs and thymes can help make transitions easier.

Use special clean up song to help put away toys or lullabies at bedtime