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 children 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 express and 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.
