Stopping play to prepare for bed, weaning a baby from a bottle or breast, or starting a new school or childcare program. These are all examples of transitions when one activity or involvement stops, and typically another begins. Transitions in children’s lives range from minor to significant, and all types in between.
When a child experiences challenges with transitions, families may notice their child exhibiting behaviors such as whining, crying, difficulty sleeping or eating, or tantrums.
Child’s age: If your child has a tantrum during transitions, you may attribute it to the “terrible twos.” However, a child’s age (and development) may limit how a child can communicate that they are having challenges with a transition. Your child’s feelings of being overwhelmed, scared, or frustrated are real, but they may not have learned productive ways to express them.
A child’s temperament: Children experience and perceive things differently due to their unique temperaments. A child with an easy-going temperament may react very differently to a transition than a child who is more resistant to change. Watch the video below to see how your child’s temperament may impact their behavior and what you can do to support your child.
Child’s development: A child’s development can significantly affect how they react to transitions. This can include:
- Social-emotional development: Their relationships with adults and other children.
- Expressing and managing emotions: How they react to situations and express their feelings.
- Self-regulation skills: How they cope or manage changes or challenges
- Language and communication skills: The words needed to identify and describe feelings.
How a parent or caregiver reacts to stress and transitions
Babies as young as three months old can sense and respond to their parents’ stress, so it’s no surprise that if mom, dad, or another caregiver is feeling stressed about moving to a new home, changing childcare providers or classrooms, or other situations, the child may react. Consider how you respond to transitions.
Depending on your child’s age, temperament, development, and your own reactions, you can help your child prepare for and experience successful transitions.
Be aware of your child, the situation, and what they are (or could be) experiencing and feeling.
If you know your preschooler is struggling with moving to a new classroom, talk with their teacher to find ways to make the transition easier. Also, talk with your preschooler to explore their feelings and why. They may be afraid that a teacher or other children won’t like them, they may miss their other teacher or friends, or there may be other reasons. Talk about those feelings with your child.
Prepare your child.
Tell your child what to expect and remember that they will take their cues from you. Are you excited or happy about the transition? Even if your baby can’t understand your words, they will gain understanding from your tone and expressions.
Create routines.
Whenever possible, try to remain consistent with your routines. It helps your child know what to expect and can provide a sense of security.
Allow time to adapt to the transition.
Sometimes, it takes a while to adjust to changes. Allow your child and yourself some time to get used to the differences.