Has your child become so immersed in an activity or toy that it is as though nothing else matters? When it is time for a meal, they cannot pull themselves away. Perhaps you try to entice them with something else exciting to draw their attention away, but nope, not even that works. When you finally manage to get your child’s attention and pull them away, protest ensues.
Here at Tiny Hoppers Richmond East, we call these transitions. Transitions can be so hard for young children and parents who have to endure them. So why are transitions so beneficial if they often include so much anxiety and protest? Because transitions are everywhere we look in our daily lives. Whether it is when a child is having fun and needs to stop in order to nourish their body with a meal or needing to transition from being at home with a family member to attending daycare on their own.
When a child masters’ transitions, they begin to feel ownership of their day. When they feel ownership they become more confident and less anxious to change; leading to successful transitions and opportunities for positive self-regulation. A child who can recognize success through something hard builds resilience to challenges. So the next time you encounter a transition protest, be reassured that what you are reinforcing is preparing your child for success later in life. You are fostering positive child development amidst the challenge and push-back.
Your partner in learning,
Fiona Abbas-Lee
