Transitions
How to handle transitions
Transitions. The dreaded ’T’ word. For those parents who have never experienced a transition tantrum, I am pleased to say you need not read any further. For those parents who know exactly what I mean when I say ‘transition tantrum’, keep reading!
Often times our little ones [and let’s face is, even us adults!] have a difficult time moving between activities, events, or settings without feeling unsettled. Being told “it’s time to leave the playground and go back home” is certainly no fun for most children! It is also pretty tough when a child is told their iPad time is finished and they need to go get ready for bed. Unfortunately for children who are not fully able to express themselves yet, this often results in tantrums or other problematic behaviors.
Whether you are a parent of a child with special needs or a typically developing toddler; if you have ever experienced the tantrum that ensues when you ask your little one to transition, you have surely thought “there must be a better way?”
Well, I am here to tell you there is! It’s actually pretty easy once you learn this simple technique and are consistent with utilising it with your child. We simply add in a reward before we ask our child to transition. We have attached a free download of this this protocol for you to follow.
Now for the fancy ABA lingo for those parents who are still reading and haven’t skipped straight ahead to the protocol: A transitional situation is aversive to most children. That is simply to say, it is displeasurable for them to leave an activity they are enjoying. By adding something appetitive, or pleasing, in to the situation, we take something aversive and neutralize it! Ta da!
Click the link below to get our free Transition Protocol download!
