Coping with transitions: 10 practical strategies to support kids who struggle with transition

“He absolutely LOVES transitions” – not something I hear very often or ever!

Transitions are those times throughout the day when kids need to shift from one activity to another whether it’s leaving the playground for lunch, moving from playtime to bedtime, or a big life transition like starting at a new school. These events can often trigger feelings of stress and anxiety for many kids.    

Think about those moments when you have to coax your child away from their favourite TV show to get ready for bed, or when you need to leave a fun playdate at the park to head home for dinner. 

Transitions can be really tricky for many kids, for many different reasons. In this blog post, I delve into why transitions can be particularly challenging for children. I share practical strategies to make transitions smoother and less stressful. By the end, you’ll be equipped with some extra techniques and tools to help the children you work with navigate changes in their world with greater ease and confidence. And while these strategies might not be 100% foolproof, having a toolkit of ideas to make transitions less stressful can make a world of difference.  

Why Transitions can be challenging for children?  

The reasons why transitions are challenging can vary from child to child, but one common factor is that a developing brain loves predictability. When children know what to expect, such as with a consistent morning or bedtime routine, their brains don’t have to work as hard to anticipate what comes next. This predictability helps them feel more secure and less anxious about changes. Other considerations of the impact of transitions on our brains are: 

  • Fear of the unknown: Uncertainty about what will happen next.
  • Loss of control: Feeling a lack of control over their environment or activities.
  • Preference for the current activity: Reluctance to leave a preferred or enjoyable activity.
  • Cognitive overload: Difficulty understanding or processing the transition. May have difficulty expressing their feelings or understanding instructions.
  • Sensory overload: New sensory stimuli can be overwhelming.
  • Emotional stress: Anxiety, stress, or fear associated with change.
  • Routine disruption: Changes to established routines can be unsettling.
  • Separation anxiety: Fear of being away from familiar people or places.
  • Previous negative experiences: Past difficulties with transitions can heighten current resistance
  • Physical impact: If they are tired, hungry, or have other physical needs this can impact on the child’s ability to transition. 
  • Attention shifts: Difficulty shifting focus from one activity to another.
  • Fear of failure: Worrying about not being able to meet new challenges or expectations.

10 strategies to support transitions

1. Provide advanced notice
  • Inform children about upcoming changes in advance to help them mentally prepare.
  • Use clear, age-appropriate explanations to reduce stress and resistance.
2. Be conscious of your tone
  • Try to make requests when you are in a regulated state. Using a warm, calm tone can help ease the transition process. Think about a time when someone was rushing around, maybe they were frustrated or annoyed and requested you shift gears to do something else. How did you feel? I know it would likely make me feel more stressed. It’s the same with our kids.
  • Use simple, clear, and consistent language when informing children about transitions.
  • Allow ample time for children to adjust, providing advance warnings to help them prepare.
3. Use visual schedules, social stories, and visual times
  • As discussed, the brain loves predictability. Using visual cues can help create a structured, predictable environment where they know what to expect. Visual schedules, such as charts or picture cards, can outline the sequence of daily activities, helping children understand and anticipate what comes next. 
  • Create social stories that outline what will happen during transitions, especially for significant changes like starting school or moving houses. These stories can help children visualise and understand the process, reducing anxiety.
4. Build routines: Where possible try to establish and maintain consistent routines 
  • This helps the child feel secure and in control. Establishing and maintaining regular routines for daily activities like morning routines, mealtimes, and bedtime can provide a sense of stability. 
  • When children know what to expect, they may be less likely to feel anxious about transitions. 
5. Involve the child in planning and decision-making
  • Involve the child in the planning and decision-making process. This can give them a sense of control and ownership over the transition. Allow them to make choices where possible, such as picking out their outfit, or choosing how they complete the transition (e.g. should we walk or skip to the next class?) 
  • Giving children choices during transitions can help them feel more in control. Options like “Would you like to put away your toys now or in five minutes?” can empower them.
  • This involvement can make the transition feel more collaborative while giving them a voice and sense of control which may help reduce resistance.  
6. Try coping strategy techniques 
  • Consider teaching relaxation techniques like belly breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.  
  • Use bubbles, singing, or movement activities to distract and engage children during transitions.
  • Incorporate fun challenges like hopping or jumping to make transitions more enjoyable.
7. Use a transition object or toy
  • Allow children to bring a favourite object or toy during transitions for comfort.
  • Designate a special place to “park” the toy during activities and pick it up afterward.
8. Try transition songs and signals 
  • Use consistent signals like songs, music, or turning off lights to indicate transitions.
  • Assign specific tasks to children, such as turning off the lights or starting a song, to help them feel involved.
9. Create a transition ritual 
  • Establish a fun and predictable ritual that marks the end of one activity and the beginning of another.
  • Simple rituals could look like a special clap, handshake or a fun chant
10. Consider peer support
  • Pair children with a buddy or peer who can support them during transitions.
  • Peer support can provide comfort and make the transition process more enjoyable. 

Transitions, whether moving from playtime to bedtime or starting at a new school, can trigger stress and anxiety for many kids. I’ve explained why these shifts are challenging, from fear of the unknown to sensory overload, and provided practical strategies to ease these changes.

By giving advance notice, using visual aids, maintaining routines, and involving children in planning, you can make transitions smoother. Tools like transition objects, and relaxation techniques can also help. While not ‘foolproof’, these strategies offer a valuable toolkit for reducing stress and promoting smoother transitions.

Related resources

Looking for a resource to support morning routines and transitions? This morning routine checklist is perfect for kids who need extra support and prompting in the morning. It comes with a visual morning routine checklistsocial narrative story, moring routine reward chart, and a tip sheet!  

Questions

If you have any questions or need further assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch here or at sophia.occupationaltherapy@gmail.com.