Transition is defined as the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. We ask children to transition multiple times each day, from one activity to the next, from one point of focus to another, and beyond. Many parents fail to understand the internal mental process involved in preparing for and undergoing transitions.
If you notice your child becoming stressed, anxious, or resistant when you ask them to stop one activity to move on to something new, they may be having trouble transitioning.
When we are switching tasks, activities, or environments, mentally we must use our executive functioning to think through the steps it takes to stop what we are doing and be ready for the next activity. Many people do this seamlessly, without even recognizing the mental process involved, but some children need more time to go through this mental process or need help processing the steps required to transition and visualizing what will happen next.
If you notice your child having trouble, here are a few strategies you can use to help:
- Use a Countdown: when you know an activity needs to wrap up, warn your child and let them know how much time is left (e.g. We have 10 minutes left to play and then we need to go home). Set a timer on your watch or phone to keep the time consistent. Call out as time winds down (e.g. 5 minutes left, 2 minutes left).
- Use Motivating Items: if transitions are really hard, you may need to use motivating items or activities to help your child transition easier (e.g. once you’re done cleaning up, we can watch your favorite video). As your child begins transitioning more successfully, you can back away from using these external motivators.
- Use Pictures or Videos: if your child is fearful or anxious about what comes next, they may have trouble visualizing the transition. Try taking pictures or videos in advance to show your child what will happen next.
As adults, sometimes we forget or don’t realize the complex mental process that goes into transitioning from one environment or task to another. Taking some additional time to pre-plan transitions will help increase predictability, reduce anxiety, and set your child up for success.
