Transitions

Children experience many transitions during their childhood. Transitions can be stressful for some children and a breeze for others. Each child reacts to transitions differently depending on where he or she is in their development, their temperament, and prior experiences during similar situations. While one child reacts at school drop off with fear and sadness, another may express joy and excitement. It is important to keep in mind that there are no good or bad reactions to change. No matter what, children should feel free to express their feelings, receive comfort from adults, and receive support to build their own ways of coping with change. It is important to understand how development affects children’s reaction to transition.