Why it matters:
Difficult transitions often lead to power struggles, emotional outbursts, and lost instructional time.
What it looks like:
Resistance to cleanup, running away, dropping to the floor, or difficulty stopping preferred activities.
How to support:
Use predictable routines, give advance warnings, and support transitions with visuals, songs, or movement.
Try this:
- Give a 2-minute and 1-minute warning before transitions to help children mentally prepare.
- Use a visual or auditory cue (timer, song, bell) to signal when it’s time to switch activities.
- Offer a simple choice during transition: “Do you want to hop or walk to the rug?”