I am terrible at waking up in the morning. I love to stay snuggled up in my warm bed. Each morning begins with me saying, "Okay, Google, snooze 5 minutes." Transitions are tough! But by hitting the snooze button, I can rise and "shine" in a structured time-limited way where I feel in control.
Transitions can be especially difficult for children who have very little say in the structure of their day. "As the adult who knows a change in activity is coming (we’ve been running around getting ready to leave the house or making dinner), it can be hard to understand the meltdowns that happen around transitions. But to a child who is completely absorbed in their current activity, transitions can feel abrupt, frustrating, and even threatening. They need their own, special kind of snooze button." (Carla Tanguay).
Music is a wonderful tool to help make transitions easier. For example, when I want students to transition from sitting to playing instruments, I play a short song. Upon hearing the music, they "drive" around the perimeter of my room, select their instrument, and "drive" back to their seated spot. The music lets them know exactly when to move and when to be back in their assigned seat and ready to learn.
Tips to try at home:
Your child is moving at a glacial pace to clean up, get dressed, brush their teeth, put on their shoes, etc. You want them to speed up! Try using a counting song like "The Ants Go Marching" or "Over in the Meadow." Remind your child that they need to be done by the count of 10. Both songs are about 4 minutes long.
You are talking to a brick wall. Children are so absorbed in what they are doing, that they tune you out. Try singing! Singing activates a different part of the child's brain. Instead of saying over and over "Please put on your shoes" Sing to the tune "The Farmer in the Dell," "Please put on your shoes, please put on your shoes. It's time to go and get in the car. Please put on your shoes."
Your child is bouncing off the wall. Try instrumental music of their favorite songs. YouTube and Spotify both have wonderful Disney instrumental playlists. I turn off the lights and play soft instrumental music in the classroom when I need to create a calming environment.
Your child takes FOREVER to get settled for bedtime. Routine. Routine. Routine! Do the exact same thing every evening whether at home, in a hotel, or at grandma's house. For my children we did the same order every night. I would play their transition song for bedtime. Then, 1. bath, 2. jammies, 3. brush teeth, 4. read ONE book. 5. sing or play the same bedtime song. 6. lights out. 7. kiss and hug goodnight. If you don't like to sing, here are the songs I use (just click play!).
Good Company from Oliver and Company: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3TFUHVLdU
Winnie the Pooh Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7JvP-iL0tE
Sweet Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKbpLQp509Y
Resources:
Carla Tanguay, MA. “5 Ways Music Can Help Kids Make Transitions.” ModulationsTherapies, 16 Jan. 2020, https://www.modulationstherapies.com/post/5-ways-music-can-help-kids-make-transitions.