By:  The Team at The Nest
<p style="text-align: left;" align="right"><a href="http://reflections.thenestmiami.com/?attachment_id=263" rel="attachment wp-att-263"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-263" style="width: 314px;" alt="Fun Club" src="http://reflections.thenestmiami.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Fun-Club.jpg" width="2000" height="181" /></a>The lives of our children are constantly in transition.  Our babies change from the breast/bottle to the Sippy cup.  They move from the crib to the toddler bed, from being an only child to being a sibling, and from the safety of their home to the newness of a school environment.  Since children thrive on routine these changes can be challenging for the child and the parent.  Preparing ourselves as parents can help these transitions in development go smoothly, so that we can focus our attention on the growth that follows change.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> <b>1. Give advance warning</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>Children don’t yet hold the concept of time.  Allow them to help you set the timer on your phone and narrate for them what will happen when the bell rings.  “When the bells rings, mommy will help you put the trucks away in the basket then we will wash our hands and sit at the table for lunch.” This allows the child to wrap up his play and helps him feel in control of the transition.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> <b>2. Develop rituals.</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Children thrive on consistency.  Develop fun and loving rituals with your child to get him from one activity to the other.  “Ok, it’s time to go to the car, let’s march and sing the ants are marching on.”  The child then feels they are having fun with mommy, instead of following a directive, or giving up an activity they were having fun doing.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>3. Keep your language simple.</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> Children respond well to simple statements such as “shoes” instead of engaging in a long conversation.  They are still mastering language and keeping it simple makes it easier for them to understand what you are asking your child to do.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> 4. Offer choices.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“It’s time to get dressed, would you like to wear your red pants or your pink shorts?” Offer your child a controlled choice. This way you are controlling the action; getting dressed, but they are choosing what to wear.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>5. Get down to your child's level.</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When asking your child to transition, get down on his level in order to assure that they are listening.  If your child is engaged in play, you telling them that it’s time to go from the other room will probably be ineffective.  Come over to them and speak to them on their level, and you may be surprise that they are willing to listen.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>6. In large transitions (i.e. going to preschool, moving, etc.)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Create a picture book together with your child, describing the upcoming changes.  If you are moving to a new space: put pictures of your child in the old home, then take pictures of the new home, in between those pictures, place pictures of your child making different "feeling faces".  The book needs to start with what is happening now, what will happen in the future, and a prediction of how they may feel.  Keep it short and simple, like the board books they already own.  Read the book to your child two to one week before the big change.  This book tool is effective because it predicts and gives a narrative to your child about this great big change.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Changes and transitions are difficult for most of us but with guidance and persistence your little ones will be alright!</p>
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