Making Transitions Easier: A Practical Guide for Home, Therapy, and School
Transitions happen throughout a child’s day. Getting dressed, leaving home, ending playtime, entering a therapy clinic, moving between classroom activities, and preparing for bed all require a child to stop one experience and begin another.
Some children manage these changes with little support. Others may cry, freeze, run away, refuse, negotiate, or become overwhelmed.
A difficult transition is not automatically defiance. The child may not understand what is happening, may need more processing time, may be leaving a highly preferred activity, or may feel uncertain about what comes next.
These practical strategies can help families and educators make changes more predictable while respecting the child’s communication and individual needs.
Begin by Identifying the Difficult Part
“Transitions are hard” is a useful starting observation, but it does not explain which part creates difficulty.
Ask:
Is the child surprised by the change?
Is the current activity highly preferred?
Is the next activity difficult or uncomfortable?
Does the child understand where they are going?
Can the child ask for more time or help?
Is the environment noisy, crowded, or unfamiliar?
Does the child have difficulty estimating time?
Is the transition happening while the child is tired or hungry?
A child who resists leaving the playground may need a different support than a child who becomes distressed entering a crowded school hallway.
Record what happened immediately before the transition, how the change was communicated, and what appeared to help.
Make the Day More Predictable
Predictability can reduce the uncertainty surrounding a change. The CDC’s guidance on using routines and rules explains that simple, consistent routines help children understand what to expect.
A routine does not have to be rigid. It can give the child a familiar structure while allowing reasonable changes.
For example, a morning routine might follow this sequence:
Get dressed.
Eat breakfast.
Brush teeth.
Pack the backpack.
Leave home.
The exact breakfast or clothing may change, but the larger sequence remains familiar.
When the normal routine must change, explain the difference as early and simply as possible.
Use Visual Information
Spoken directions disappear as soon as they are said. Visual information remains available for the child to check again.
Useful visual supports may include:
Picture schedules
Written lists
First-then boards
Countdown cards
Photos of destinations
A timer
A calendar
Objects connected to the next activity
A first-then board might show, “First shoes, then car.” A school schedule might show “reading, snack, playground.”
The visual should match the child’s level of understanding. Some children respond well to photographs, while others understand drawings, written words, or digital schedules.
Avoid showing a long schedule if seeing the entire day creates more stress. A two-step visual may be enough.
Give Advance Notice That the Child Understands
Warnings such as “five more minutes” are not always meaningful to a child who does not yet understand time.
Combine the warning with something concrete:
Set a visible timer.
Remove one item from a countdown strip.
Finish one final turn.
Play a familiar transition song.
Point to the next activity on the schedule.
Show the object needed for the next routine.
Try to use similar wording each time. Repeating several different warnings may create confusion rather than clarity.
Advance notice should prepare the child for change, not begin a long negotiation. Keep the message calm and understandable.
Teach a Way to Request More Time
A child may benefit from learning how to request one more minute, one more turn, help finishing, or a short break.
The request may use speech, a gesture, a picture, a sign, or an AAC device.
Adults do not have to approve every request. However, acknowledging communication teaches the child that requesting is more useful than escalating.
A simple response might be, “You asked for one more turn. One more turn, and then shoes.”
When extra time is unavailable, the adult can still acknowledge the request: “You asked for more time. We need to leave now, but you can choose the song in the car.”
Offer Choices Within the Transition
A child may not be able to choose whether the family leaves for an appointment, but the child may be able to choose part of how the transition happens.
Examples include:
Which shoes to wear
Which item to carry
Whether to walk or hold a caregiver’s hand
Which song to play
Whether to put away blocks or cars first
Which seat to use
Which task to complete after arriving
Offer two realistic choices. Too many options may be overwhelming, especially during a stressful moment.
A choice should not be presented when only one answer will be accepted.
Practice During Calm Moments
It is difficult to learn a new transition strategy while already overwhelmed.
Practice a shortened version when there is no time pressure. A family might practice putting on shoes, walking to the car, sitting briefly, and returning inside.
School preparation might include viewing photos, visiting the building, practicing with a backpack, or reading a short personalized story about arrival.
North Carolina DPI’s kindergarten transition resources encourage family involvement, information sharing, and activities that help children become familiar with school expectations. The same general idea—preparation before a major change—can be useful for many transitions.
Adjust the Next Activity When Necessary
Sometimes a child resists because the next environment is genuinely difficult.
Consider whether the child needs:
A quieter entrance
Headphones
A shorter waiting period
A movement break
Clearer instructions
A familiar comfort item
Help with a difficult task
A predictable place to sit
A communication tool
More gradual exposure
The solution should not always be increasing rewards for compliance. Improving the environment may address the actual barrier.
Respond Calmly When a Transition Breaks Down
When distress increases, reduce unnecessary language. Long explanations, repeated questions, or threats may add demands.
Prioritize safety and communication. Use the agreed visual or short cue, allow reasonable processing time, and offer access to a safe calming space when appropriate.
After the situation has passed, document what occurred. Avoid demanding an apology or lengthy discussion while the child is still recovering.
Later, ask whether the transition should be divided into smaller steps or whether another support should be tested.
Coordinate Strategies Across Settings
A child may encounter different transition words and visuals at home, school, and therapy.
Exact uniformity is not always necessary, but basic coordination can help. Families may share:
The child’s communication method
Effective warning signals
Helpful visuals
Common triggers
Preferred choices
Signs that distress is increasing
Recovery supports
Safety concerns
Raleigh-area families seeking help applying practical strategies during daily routines can explore Triangle ABA’s local parent-training resources.
Any transition plan should be individualized. A strategy that works at the clinic may need to be adjusted before it fits a home, classroom, or community setting.
Measure Meaningful Improvement
Success does not have to mean moving instantly or without support.
Progress might include:
Looking at the schedule
Requesting more time
Leaving with one fewer prompt
Carrying a transition item
Recovering more comfortably
Using a communication tool before distress increases
Entering a new setting for a short period
Tolerating a small routine change
Celebrate practical improvements without removing useful supports too quickly.