5 Ways to Help Children Through Life’s Transitions

“…Leaving the park is always so difficult. I don’t understand why Ava continually puts up a fight. Whenever I say it’s time to go, she throws the biggest fit and refuses to listen. Sometimes if we’re on a tight schedule I end up having to pick her up, kicking and screaming, to get her in the car. What do I do?”

Do you have a child that has difficulty leaving places like the park or library?

While each child is unique, many times these behaviors occur as a result of struggles with transitions.

Why Are Routines An Important Part Of A Child’s Day?

Transitions and routines create predictability in your child’s day. This helps give your child a sense of security and emotional stability, knowing what to expect. When a situation occurs where the play is ended abruptly, your child may negatively react to that unpredictability. Depending on your child’s temperament, transitions between activities may be easy or more difficult. Going from play to lunch, lunch to the store, the store to home…and especially transitioning to bed time, can be challenging.

Routines (like bedtime routines) can help make transitions easier.

What are signs that your child is having difficulty with transitions?

What can you do to help?

Using these 5 techniques can greatly decrease your child’s anxiety with transitions, and allow a smoother day over all. By simply adding verbal cues or prompts, your child will learn what to expect and will be able to adjust themselves to the next activity.

If you are having trouble with a child struggling with transitions, therapy can help. Our Burbank therapists specialize in working with families and children, and are excited to help you apply these tools in your own life.

Photo by Hunter Johnson on Unsplash