Question
Q – “I would like to ask about transitioning (not to another setting) i.e stopping play to have lunch/nappy change etc…Does anyone have any suggestions of strategies to use with a very young child (just 2 yrs) who struggles and becomes very emotional (massive temper tantrum) during transitions? “
Answers
A – “Let them take a toy with them…we use transitional toys…allowing them to take one thing they are playing with to the changing room to have their nappy changed…or one toy to the table for lunch time”
A – “Def need to give them fair warning that change is about to happen, maybe a longer verbal count down…so ‘in 10 mins we’re going to do this,….in 5 mins we’re going to do this…. and then when I count to 5 this will happen”
A – “maybe a sand timer and say to them when the timer runs out you need to come with me to do your nappy. This gives the child time to think about finishing the activity and giving them some visual concept”
A – “We use visual timetables and ‘now and then’ boards with pictures such as a nappy or a picture of the children eating snack to show the what is happening now and what will happen after so they are aware and know what will be happening next throughout the day and we can discuss it with them and involve them in putting up/ changing the pictures so they have an input”
A – “Now and next cards. I am using that with a child currently and this has proven to be very successful”
A – “Warning is definitely the way forward to helping with transitions but we are going to be making “the magic toy box”. I find with the 2 year olds in my setting that it’s not the stopping playing that is a problem, it’s the fear of another child taking their toy. The aim of the box is a special place for them to keep their toy(s) so they can go to the toilet, have their nappy changed, have lunch etc without rushing and then continue where they left off. It may be a disaster but can only try”
A – “I work with 2 year olds, We just ring a funky looking bell, everyone freezes and when asked what time it is they all shout TIDY UPPP TIMEEEE, they all enjoy tidying up as they get rewarded stickers and sometimes the children get to ring the bell for the tidy up. If done as a routine the children will pick it up and want to help with the routine and hardly any tantrums”
A – “I work with 2’s and we have transitions songs; nappy, wash hands, tidy up, and sit down song which we sing when it is time for a transition (nappy song is sang to individual child while walking to the changing area). It really helps, especially with children with little understanding and EAL. We also give them a nappy picture which they stick on the changing area with velcro”
A – “Objects of reference For example showing them a nappy / pull up so they know what time it is Helps for understanding the next part of the routine”
A – “Continue to support the child, reassuring them that it is okay. Personally I wouldn’t use a timer as a young two year old probably wouldn’t understand… I’d use a favourite toy or if they have a comforter from home. I would build a nursery routine board with pictures of the actual nursery and what happens when. The board will also get other children involved”
A – “To back up the transition toy idea! I have a little one who struggles with transition and the one thing I have found works best is a toy, he loves elephants and is a lot more content when he can grab an elephant toy to bring with him. We have elephants dotted all over the place!”