Transitions are tough — even for grown-ups. For little ones, shifting gears can feel big and overwhelming. With a few simple OT-recommended strategies, we can help kids move from one activity to the next more easily (and with fewer tears).
As adults, we understand how challenging change can be. And it can be even harder for kiddos! Every parent has an intimate understanding of how challenging it can be to transition their child from one activity to another, especially if the new activity is less fun or desirable than the one they are currently engaged in.
While we would all love to keep doing our favourite things all day long, we know that this is, sadly, not reality. So, how can we help smooth these transitions for our kids?
Even as adults, we can recognize that if someone were to tell us mid-activity that we needed to stop immediately, we would need at least 30 seconds to wrap up what we were doing. And it’s the same with kids. It’s just not realistic to expect them to drop everything as soon as we tell them. Enter: the 2-minute warning. This will look different depending on the age and understanding of your child, but 2 minutes is typically a helpful timeframe: it’s long enough to let them tie up a few loose ends, but short enough that they don’t forget about the warning altogether or start something new. Some kids may need a 2-minute, 1-minute, and half-a-minute warning - and that’s ok, too!
While giving the 2-minute warning is a helpful way for kids to start to understand the concept of time frames, it’s also a bit abstract for young minds. If you find the 2-minute warning is not working, try giving specific parameters based on the activity your child is doing. Statements like, “your car can do 3 more laps on the track and then it’s time to clean up” or “you can finish colouring the bear in your picture and then it’s time to get shoes on,” are very concrete and easy to understand.
It can be hard to step away from an activity when you’re having fun — we all know that! If your child gets upset when it’s time to clean up, acknowledging their feelings can go a long way in helping them feel heard and validated, and can lead to a smoother transition.
Put on their favourite song during clean-up time! Encourage them to move like their favourite animal on the way to the bath (bear walk; frog hop)! Make it a race or time them to see how fast they can get their coats and shoes on. Finding simple ways to make the transition fun can lift spirits and distract from the sad feelings of ending a favourite activity.
For some families, it can be helpful to get into the routine of playing the same song during clean-up time or transitions every day. This acts as an auditory reminder to kids that it’s time to finish up what they are doing, and can minimize the amount of verbal reminders given.
Giving kids choices can help them feel that they have some control over what they are doing, even if they are not able to choose to keep playing. This can look like allowing them to choose the type of shoes they will wear or the colour of their pajamas. This gives them some ownership over the transition and can help get them on board with the switch.
Sometimes, despite warnings and attempts to make things fun and give choices, a child may still refuse to stop what they are doing. As parents, it is our job in this situation to hold our boundaries and follow through on what we’ve said. After the first refusal, we give a choice: they can move their bodies, or we can help them. After the second refusal, we gently shepherd them in the direction they need to go. Firmly holding our boundaries as parents is the most effective way to help smooth out transitions, because it clearly shows our kids what the expectations are and affirms that these expectations will be the same each and every time.
With practice, these small strategies build trust, confidence, and smoother days for everyone. And remember, you don’t have to get it perfect every time. Transitions get easier when kids feel supported, and when we give ourselves a break, too.
