Radio Commentary
Transitions can be difficult for
children, whether they involve end-of-summer issues, the beginning of a new
school year, or changes in the family situation.
Here are
some tips to help a child move more easily through transitions:
First, let
your child know that a change is coming. If there is a family calendar, mark
the event. Help the child enjoy the steps leading to it.
If pleasant memories can be associated with the change—such
as shopping, going out for ice cream, or going to one last fair or festival, it
makes the transition easier for a child.
Respect the
fact that your child may need time to work through feelings.
Listen to
what is important to your child. Maybe it’s special time to play with a friend
or visit a relative.
Whether the transition involves a
new schedule, a new sibling, or an older sibling going off to college, change
can create anxiety and insecurity.
Listen for the source and try to
face it positively without denying your child’s fears. Reassuring your child
won’t take away all the feelings of uncertainty, but it can plant a seed of
hope.
Transitions are a part of life. The
better we can understand the responses to change, the better able we are to
help our children deal with them.
