Transitions and Other Troublesome Times

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Transitions and Other Troublesome Times

• How to Turn Tough Times into Fun Times

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Transition Between Activities

• Why Are Transition Times so Hard for Children?
• Children resist change due to a need to assert
  themselves and be in charge
• They can threaten their sense of security
• Children live in the present
• Some childrenespecially toddlers--resist change
  simply because its change

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• Children must develop the ability to act
  independently in order to be successful in all
  areas of life. Their struggle to become
  self-directed often takes the form of resisting
  adult directions by silently ignoring a question
  or by assertively saying No!.

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• Adults in the room can also play a role in
  transition time trouble
• Not being organized due to inadequate planning
  and preparation
• Having unrealistic expectations of childrens
  behavior
• Expecting a high degree of
  group conformity
  (expect the
  children to all
  stand in the line quietly?)

Children dont wait well!
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• Preparing Children to Stop Activity
• Prepare them physically and mentally
• Children cooperate better if they
• Know what to expect in advance
• Always give a warning dont stop an
  activity abruptly
• Feel they are part of the change process
• Talk to them about what is going to happen
  
• (Today we will be going to the Computer Lab.)
• Give them warning before the change will happen
• (You have five minutes
  to finish up so we can get ready to go outside.
• If you have a child sensitive to change, give
  them more attention and warning before a change

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Techniques for a Smooth Transition

• Plan Ahead
• Have materials ready to go
• Get the childrens attention before you announce
  a transition
• Shake a rain stick, ring a bell or clap softly
• Focus your attention on the children during the
  transition itself
• Youre really working hard to put all
  those blocks away!
• I bet youre proud of how tidy the Book Area
  looks!

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• Adjust your expectations to what is reasonable
  and realistic for the children in your particular
  age group
• Be aware of each childs individual temperament
• Give children many opportunities for
  self-direction during the day
• Allow enough time for the transition to allow
  children to complete the process without being
  rushed.
• Process over Product! Make the transition itself
  FUN!
• Give a direction once and allow children time to
  comply. Avoid rapid repetition of direction.

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Teachers role

• You must be a facilitator, not dictator.
  Children need the assistance of a
  friendly guide and not orders
  from a drill sergeant!
• Teach them by showing them
  what you expect and
  why

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• Plan your schedule with a LIMITED number of
  transition times the fewer the better
• Consider what the children and adults will do
  during these times
• Provide verbal and nonverbal cues before
  transitions
• Teach children the expectations for the routine
• Minimize the number of transitions in
  which all children have to do the same thing
  at the same time

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Help Children Learn to Listen

• Get down on childrens eye level when you speak
  to them
• Speak in a kind, calm vice that shows respect for
  the children
• Speak to children,
  not at them
• Use short, clear
  sentences

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• Give one direction at a time
• Give directions at the time and place where the
  actions are to be done
• Set a good example for children to model
  listen intently to them when they speak
  to you.

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Good vs. Bad Behavior

• Avoid singling out children as examples for
  public praise
• I like the way statements encourage children
  to do things just to please the adult
• Instead of trying to control behavior with
  praise, involve them in the change process with
  statements or questions that help them define
  personal or group goals and focus their attention
  on ways to achieve them

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• If you feel attention must be given for a
  particular behavior, give equal attention to all
  children who exhibit that behavior
  (and to
  the
  effort of those those
  trying to learn it) behavior)

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• The most helpful form of attention is
  acknowledgment and appreciation, not
  praise.
• I see that you are putting all of the square
  blocks on
• the top shelf.

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• Avoid getting drawn into a battle of wills with
  stubborn or noncompliant children.
• Remember that childrens need for
  self-direction does not mean they are being
  bad.

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• Avoid words or
  actions that scold,
  criticize , shame,
  belittle, blame,
  humiliate, accuse
  or otherwise
  attack a child.

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• Instead of scolding a resistant child, let the
  child know by your manner as and words that you
  respect the child's needs and wishes but you also
  expect compliance.
• Go to where the child is, get down
  on the childs level and speak quietly but
  firmly.
• Express appreciation when the child does
  cooperate.

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Make Moving From Place to Place a Learning Time!

• Avoid requiring children to Put a bubble in your
  mouth or Place a hand on your hip and a finger
  on your lip.
• These teach children nothing
  and typically only need to
  non-compliance. Theyre real
  time wasters!

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Instead of Bubbles Try

• Sing songsthe sillier the better!
• Play word or guessing games, recite rhymes, or
  do finger plays with children
• Play Simon Says or I Spy With My Little Eye
• Talk with children ask creative questions that
  dont involve a simple Yes or No answer
• Invite children to move from place to place
  like an animal or move about as if in a certain
  kind of vehicle.
• Reinforce concepts taught earlier (sounds,
  shapes, colors)

Use Novelty Humor!
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Tony Chestnut