Transitioning Child from One Activity to Another

Give a 5 minute warning. "In 5 minutes (or when timer goes off) we will be going outside" or whatever. Sometimes it just helps them to prepare themselves.

Yes, singing! Also, I made up an activity board on the wall of items we do and the general order we do them in. When its time to move on to, say, making lunch or changing little brother's diaper, I say in an exciting voice "Do you know what time it is? I think it's time to *, what do you think?" and we go to the wall and look. Pictures are helpful for this.

As far as his reaction, never reward a bad attitude with gratification of its demand. He will learn that his tantrums never get him his way (in this case, to continue doing what he wants to do)- and will stop putting up a fuss if you're ALWAYS consistent. This just means that if it's open for debate, you can let him choose if he wants to change activities, but if it's not open for debate, don't tell him "it's time for such and such" and then let him have his way passively (by delaying) or actively (by having a fit and not enforcing the activity change). And no matter what he does, keep your cool, of course! =)

i always give warning, 10 min, 5 min, then 1 min. and be careful of your phrasing, dont ask permission ie... "in 5 min we are going to bla bla, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" not "...okay?" and then do it no matter what. if the tantrum works for him, he will keep doing it. also, what kind of transitions are you talking about? if they are necessary, then do it, i only ask because i see sooo many parents at the playground, childrens museum, whatever, trying to move their little ones along when THEY think its time, when little kids can often stay at one activity forever, much longer than our attention span, and they should be able to when it's possible, they are learning....good luck

Hi J.,
You didn't mention what type of activities, are they all play activities or is it from play to eating?
I used to teach preschool and now I am a SAHM of a 2yr boy and 4yr girl. Singing helps a lot w/ transitions. We sing what we are finished doing then sing what we are going to do. A 2 minute warning gives them a heads up that things are going to change soon and it won't be such a big surprise to them.
Another way is to pretend your way from one activity to another. Fly like a butterfly, chugga chugg like a train, crawl like a dog . . .. to the next activity.

Good Luck and make it fun!

W.

Hi,
Why do you switch activities? I don't understand your question.
Are you trying to finish to leave the house?
Children play in their minds as they play, possibly you are moving him from an activity before he is ready and he becomes frustrated.
I am sorry if I don't understand your question.
P.

My son had an AWFUL time with transitions. One thing that worked for me is turning the lights off and giving the 5 minute count-down...followed by "Clean up Clean up" song. He will eventually out-grow this (but then again my husband will tantrum when we are out at the mall....)

For awhile my son would start to tantrum if I would even begin to tell him what we were going to do- even at the first word of the warning! It was silly and unrational- but thats what 2 1/2 year olds do! What worked for me, and pretty quickly:
Definatly give the warning- keep it simple, do not make it a discussion or a question-

Also when he was tantrumming, I would leave him be and wait for him to calm down- not saying a word. Or I would say, "we will try again when you are feeling better" and then when he calmed down we would try the transistion again. Limiting the discussion about it really helped. One other thing that sometimes helped was giving him a closed set of choice, for example : "we are going to grandmas house, do you want to take your truck or your train?"

This is a normal toddler behavior, its as if as soon as you start talking he is feeling that he is being told what to do and lost his independence- so try to give him as much control as you can(by choosing or helping). good luck & stay patient!

Is this occurring at home or in a daycare?

If at home, why bother, let him play until he is done. And if you must move on know that all 2 year olds have transitioning issues - it is a part of their development, as well as tantrums. Just try and make it as exciting as possible and give 10 minute than 5 minute warnings before the transition occurs.

If he still has transitioning issues at 4 or 5 that is when an educational evaluation is necessary as this is a sign of a developmental delay.

If at daycare the caregivers should already have tools at their disposal for such an occaision.