Teachers are constantly working on improving moments of transition in the classroom: From parent drop-off to learning time, from lunch to play time, from play time to nap time.

These are times when one activity is ending and another is starting, and children tend to be a bit more high-energy because they are excited about the change of pace.

Here are a few ways teachers work to make these moments smooth and seamless:

1. Speak calmly and move slowly. Children are very empathetic, so setting the tone is important.
2. Establish a routine. From the first days, teachers do things in order so children feel secure in their knowledge of what happens next.
3. Make small changes. If there are snags in the routine that need improving, teachers make small changes until they find the best method for that particular group of children.
4. Try, try again. Patience is key during stressful moments of transition. It’s important to keep in mind that every day may not be perfect, but you keep trying.

Parents experience moments of transition at home as well! Children go from sleeping to awake, from home to school, from dinner to bedtime.

Give the time-tested methods above a try at home to improve your transition times. Soon you will move through the different activities in your day with ease and enthusiasm!

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