Young children's executive function skills (like cognitive flexibility, impulse control, and planning) are still immature, making it harder to switch focus between activities. Changes disrupt their sense of routine and security, and can lead to BIG reactions and emotional dysregulation. That's why so many families complain about moving their children from play to dinner, or from TV to getting out the door in the morning.

Here are 3 tips to offer families in your practice around transitions:

1. Offer a warning: suggest a timer (sand timers work best) to help young children know how long they have left before moving on to the next activity.
2. Make eye contact: suggest that parents get up close and make eye contact with their child to let them know what is coming next. This is more effective than yelling from the other room!
3. Use a visual chart: suggest to parents that transitions like the morning or bedtime routine can be made into a simple visual chart (for example, brush our teeth, put on pjs, 2 books, bed) to help promote autonomy and help kids anticipate what comes next.