Connect Before Transitions

For a child, one of the most difficult challenges is handling transitions — leaving one activity and moving to the next. During the day, key transitions for your family might be dropping your child off at school or daycare, packing up after playtime, or putting down a good book to come and eat dinner. While they can be a challenge, learning how to connect with your child during these transitions can be an invaluable way to deepen your relationship.

When a transition is coming up, give your child a few minutes’ warning, then look them in the eye, use their name, and try to make it fun. Motivating your child to pack up by taking turns tossing toys into a basket creates a valuable moment together while achieving the job that needs to get done.

Transitions happen throughout your child’s life at school as well. Now is a good time to start talking with your child about the transition into next year. For some, it will mean a change of teacher while for others it may be a move to a new school. It is important to check in with your child to see how they are feeling about the transition. Knowing that you are there to listen to their feelings can help prepare them and make them more comfortable about the changes ahead.