Does transitioning between activities for your child trigger meltdowns, tantrums, and challenging behavior? Let's face it, change is hard for kids. Whether it’s a big change like moving schools or a small one like moving from one activity to the next, transitions are just hard. When children are asked to stop one activity and start another, it can trigger challenging behavior especially when they are asked to transition from a preferred activity (coloring) to something non-preferred (cleaning up). All children, and especially those with special needs like ADHD, Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder, need a sense of predictability. Preparing them through the use of transition strategies can be key and can take place before, during, or after the transition. And luckily, there are a number of strategies that can help prevent challenging behaviors and lower anxiety for both you and your child.
What are Transition Strategies/Activities?
Transition strategies/activities are simply calming techniques used when transitioning a child from one task to the next in order to help prevent negative behaviors through self-regulation. Because young children cannot yet independently cope with their frustrations and manage their emotions, they resort to whining, delaying, negotiating or full-blown meltdowns. This is especially true when they are unable to control their routine or decide for themselves. Transitions help them to feel a sense of control while successfully being able to switch tasks.
Why are Transition Strategies/Activities Important for Kids?
When a child knows what to expect, they are more likely to participate and cooperate in their daily routine. Transition strategies/activities promote self-regulation, provide an understanding of the sense of time (past, present, future) and also help with the development of a child's social-emotional skills. They also empower the child to maintain self-control, remain calm and avoid negative behaviors during transitions away from their favorite or preferred activities.
Below is a list of tips and tricks to help make transitions less challenging and more rewarding for your child:
- Prepare them and give a preview. Provide an advanced warning, whether verbal or nonverbal to prepare them for an upcoming transition. Review their schedule each morning for the day so that they know what to expect.
- Use a visual schedule. This helps make it clear to your child on what they can expect and what is coming up next. If there are activities that are more challenging for your child, it is often helpful to put those activities closer to the beginning of the day when they are less tired.
- Establish routines. For each part of their schedule, establish a simple routine. Routines promote independence, are comforting for the child and are predictable.
- Use transition songs. Kids love music and transition songs are a great way to help kids move smoothly from one activity to the next. Songs also help kiddos mentally prepare and pay attention.
- Use transition activities. Incorporate motor movements like skipping, bear-crawling or hopping to the next activity or play simple games like "red-light-green-light" to make the transition more fun.
- Use a visual timer or a visual countdown system. Let your child set up a sand timer or use a digital timer to show the child the time. There are numerous visual countdown apps that you can download as well.
- Use special auditory cues. Allow them to choose the alarm sound on a device or let them listen to their favorite song and when the song is over, it's time for the next activity.
- Offer sensory breaks. Various sensory activities make great transition bridges and include things like hugging their favorite stuffed animal, jumping on a trampoline, carrying or pushing a heavy object or breathing techniques.
- Use a transition object. For some kiddos, having their favorite toy, blanket or stuffed animal with them can help smooth transitions. This is especially true when the child is transitioning from one location to another such as from home to school.
- Give choices. When appropriate, giving your child a simple decision such as choosing which book they want to read at bedtime or which snack they wish to eat, can help reduce opposition.
- Allow for extra time. When leaving things until the last minute, you're not allowing your child time to adjust. Additionally, when you're in a rush, your child picks up on your energy and becomes even more aggravated.
- Maintain consistency. Stick to your child's schedule and be as consistent with their routine as you can.
- Be realistic. Be careful to not set your expectations too high. Remember, young children are still developing and some children have more difficulty with transitions than others.
- Be clear and give praise. Be sure to give your child clear, simple directions during and throughout transitions. Avoid other distractions while giving transitions and try to maintain eye-contact when possible. When you observe a child transitioning appropriately, be sure to acknowledge their positive behavior and good choices.
References: Learning without Tears