Effective Strategies for Supporting Transitions in Early Childhood Education

*Updated July 2025

In early childhood education, transition times can be seen as some of the most challenging moments in a child’s day. Whether it’s moving from one activity to the next, cleaning up, or moving from inside to outside, transitions can trigger anxiety and confusion in young children. These moments require careful planning and strategies to support children as they navigate the shifts in their environment and routine. As caregivers, it’s essential to understand that transitions are developmentally appropriate challenges for young children and to utilize effective techniques to ease the process. 

In this blog, we’ll explore why transitions can be difficult for young children, strategies to prepare them for upcoming transitions, and how to support children who struggle with these daily moments.

Why Transitions Can Be Challenging for Young Children

Before diving into transition strategies, it’s important to explore why transitions are difficult for young children. In early childhood, children are still developing essential skills like impulse control, emotional regulation, and attention span. For many children, transitioning from one activity to the next can feel jarring or disruptive, and they may not yet possess the emotional maturity to handle these shifts smoothly.

Several factors contribute to the challenge of transitions for young children:

• Limited Attention Span: Young children tend to have shorter attention spans, making it hard for them to focus on the task at hand when it’s time to move to something new. This can lead to distraction and resistance when it’s time to switch activities.
• Emotional Regulation: Children are still learning to manage their emotions, and sudden changes in routine can trigger frustration or unease.
• Desire for Control: Young children may resist transitions because they are seeking autonomy and control over their own activities. If they are deeply engaged in play, they may feel upset about having to stop and engage in a new activity that they have no control over.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Some children, particularly those with sensory processing difficulties or autism, may find transitions particularly difficult due to the overwhelming sensory stimuli or the unpredictability of a new activity.

Understanding these factors is essential in creating a supportive environment that can help young children navigate transitions more effectively.

Preparing Young Children for Transitions

While transitions may be difficult for young children, there are several strategies educators and caregivers can use to help prepare them for the upcoming change. With some proactive planning and consistency, children can learn to manage transitions with greater ease.

1. Use a Visual Schedule

One of the most effective tools for preparing children for transitions is a visual schedule. A visual schedule helps provide predictability and structure, which are critical for young children. It allows them to anticipate what will happen next, reducing anxiety and providing a sense of security. A simple visual schedule can include pictures or symbols representing each activity of the day, such as snack time, playtime, and clean up time.

Visual Cues not only help children understand what comes next but also supports building independence by allowing them to follow along without needing constant verbal reminders. Display the schedule at the child’s eye level in the classroom or childcare setting, and refer to it regularly throughout the day. Over time, children will become accustomed to the rhythm of their daily schedule, making transitions smoother and more predictable.

2. Provide Clear and Consistent Instructions

Clear communication is vital for a successful transition. Give children simple, direct instructions that they can follow. Be sure to repeat these instructions a few times, and offer them with a calm, reassuring tone. For example, rather than simply saying, “It’s time to clean up,” say, “It’s time to clean up the blocks. Please put them back in the bin, and then we’ll move to circle time.” By breaking down the steps and providing clear expectations, you reduce confusion and give children a sense of control over the transition.

Using a consistent set of transition phrases, such as “Let’s finish up” or “Five more minutes,” helps children recognize the pattern of transition time, creating a predictable routine. Children feel more confident when they know exactly what is expected of them.

3. Use a Visual Timer or Countdown

A visual timer can be a powerful tool for helping children manage the time left in an activity. For many young children, knowing that there is a set amount of time left before a transition can be reassuring. A visual timer, such as flicking the classroom lights or a song that gets played right before clean-up time, provides a concrete way to understand time, which is a difficult concept for young children to grasp.

A countdown can also be effective when moving to the next activity. For example, you could give a five-minute warning before transitioning to clean up time. This gives children a heads-up and allows them to wrap up what they’re doing without feeling rushed. The countdown provides clarity and predictability, reducing the chances of young children feeling overwhelmed. 

4. Incorporate Transition Objects

For children who are particularly sensitive to changes in routine, introducing a transition object can help ease the shift between activities. A transition object is a familiar item that children associate with a specific activity, offering comfort and stability. This could be a small sensory toy or even a visual card with an image representing the next activity. When it’s time for the transition, caregivers can encourage the child to hold or interact with the transition object as they move from one activity to the next.

For example, a child could hold a small stuffed animal while transitioning from snack time to free play, helping them feel more secure as they move into a new task. Transition objects can be particularly useful for children with sensory processing challenges or autism, as they help to ground the child during difficult transitions.

5. Prepare Children for Difficult Transitions

Some transitions will be more challenging than others, especially when children are moving from a preferred activity (like playtime) to a less preferred one (like clean-up or brushing teeth). To prepare children for these difficult transitions, try to give them plenty of notice and engage them in the process. Instead of announcing, “It’s time to clean up,” try something like, “In five minutes, we will be cleaning up, and then we’ll get ready for snack time.” Giving choices at this time can be very valuable as well, such as offering two calming songs for them to pick between that can be played during clean up time. 

Providing children with advance notice and choices helps them mentally prepare for the upcoming change and reduces resistance. This is especially important when transitioning from a preferred activity to one that may not be as exciting or enjoyable. By offering plenty of time to prepare and by validating their feelings, you can help ease the transition.

6. Offer Positive Reinforcement

Praise and acknowledgment can be powerful motivators during transition times. Offer positive reinforcement when children successfully navigate transitions. Praise them for following instructions, completing a task like cleaning up, or managing their emotions during a difficult transition. This not only encourages the child to continue using positive behavior but also reinforces the idea that transitions can be successfully managed.

Supporting Children Who Struggle During Transitions

Despite the best preparation and strategies, some children will continue to struggle with transitions. It’s important to approach these struggles with patience, empathy, and flexibility. 

Here are some ways to support children who struggle during transitions:

1. Break Transitions into Smaller Steps

For children who find transitions overwhelming, break the process into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if a child is struggling to clean up, you can guide them by focusing on one task at a time. Instead of saying, “Clean up your toys,” you might say, “Please pick up the blocks and put them in the bin,” followed by, “Now, let’s put away the cars.” Breaking the task down can reduce feelings of overwhelm and help the child feel more successful.

2. Provide Extra Time and Flexibility

Sometimes, a child simply needs more time to transition. If you notice that a child is having a hard time, give them extra time to finish what they’re doing before moving on to the next activity. If a child is having a particularly challenging time during a transition, offering extra time or flexibility can alleviate some of the pressure they may be feeling. For example, if a child is struggling to leave the play area, you could allow them a few more minutes to wrap up their play or transition more slowly.

3. Use Calming Techniques

For children who become anxious or upset during transitions, calming techniques can be very helpful. Deep breathing, sensory breaks, calming music or even quiet time in a calm space can help regulate a child’s emotions before moving to the next activity. You can guide children through a simple breathing exercise, such as, “Let’s take three deep breaths together,” before transitioning to something new. This allows children to self-regulate and prepare emotionally for the change.

Conclusion

Managing transitions in early childhood education can be challenging, but with proactive planning, clear communication, and consistent routines, caregivers can help young children navigate these moments with greater ease. 

For more tips and tools to support your classroom management, check out resources like Lillio’s Early Childhood Education Blog, which can help you track progress, communicate with families, and streamline your classroom routines.