Transitions for Young Children

Young children are heavily reliant on structure and routine, which means that introducing them to new or unfamiliar things may cause them to feel uneasy or at a disequilibrium. This is why it is important for parents and teachers to allot time for the child to warm up and transition in between activities.

We can classify transitions into two: transitions in the macro sense, where changes going from one milestone to another are involved. An example of this is the transition from preschool to elementary school or, a more current example is the transition from physical classes to distance/remote learning. The second classification are transitions in the micro sense, which involve a shift from one activity or situation to another. Transitions, in the context of early learning are considered as the time period in between two very different activities. For example, changing from Outdoor Play to Rest Time or from Snack Time to Circle Time requires transitions because the two activities take place either in two different venues or two completely different contexts.

Children, like adults, appreciate knowing what is to come next. Properly implemented transitions keep children engaged and allows them to manage the new stimulus better.

The Seed Learning values your time. Preparing activity plans for your child involve properly planning transition times incorporated in your daily routine. We also help and guide parents to know how to properly do these.

Header photo by Kristin Hardwick in People (Negative Space Stock Photos)