Smooth moves: Managing transitions in the setting
Smooth transitions between activities help young children to feel secure, stay engaged and develop self-regulation. With clear cues and supportive routines, practitioners can turn potentially challenging moments into opportunities for learning and independence.
Top tips for managing transitions in the setting
- Visual timers/cues – use a sand timer, a countdown clock or simple picture card so children can see how much time is left before they are expected to move to something different
- Visual timetable – create small photos or pictures of the activities that make up the day. As each activity ends, move a clothes peg or a magnet to the next image. This visible progress tracker helps children anticipate what’s coming next. Some children may require this broken down to a simple what’s happening now and what’s happening next in the form of a ‘now and next’ sheet
- Sing songs/rhymes – create an association between a song and a specific transition, for example a tidy-up song
- Offer choices – let children choose the order of tasks, for example, “Do you want to put the blocks away first or the small figures?” This helps foster a sense of autonomy and cooperation
- Practice transitions – rehearse key transitions during calmer times so that children know what is expected before the busier, real-life event, e.g. washing hands before lunch
- Give positive reinforcement – praise and acknowledge smooth transitions, such as, “I love how Ameen put his book away so quickly”
- Reduce transitions – consider reducing the amount of transitions to those that are absolutely necessary.
NDNA products to support you with this tip
Championing SEND – online training
Autism Awareness – live virtual classroom
Supporting Transitions – factsheet
Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.
- MyNDNA
- Tips
