My son has always struggled with transitions.
Shorts to trousers.
One activity to the next.
Home to school - especially on Mondays.
A couple of weeks ago he was finding it particularly hard to get into the Monday swing. I had to hand him over to his teacher in tears, which is never easy.
His teacher was very understanding and she came up with an idea: she suggested making a transition object - something he could take from home to school to act as a bridge between the two.
So on Friday afternoon, during free play, she sat down with just him and helped him make a little pom-pom creature.
He was thrilled! He named it ‘Rain’. When he got home he even made a little bed for it to sleep in.
All weekend he kept talking about making it with his teacher.
Monday morning came. He was excited to get to school!
“Have you got Rain?”
“Oh, no, he’s still in his bed!” He ran off to get it.
He was just excited to see his teacher!
It reinforced to me, once again, the importance and impact that even a small amount of 1:1 time can have on a young child. Had the transition toy worked? Well yes, but it’s success rested seemingly entirely on the time spent making it together with his teacher.
That small window of connection can have a massive impact on how children feel, behave and relate to the world around them.
The good news is, you don’t need to attempt making a pom-pom creature (unless you want to 🤣), reading is a great way to build this connection, especially when the story taps into something they already love.
When you read about something they’re passionate about (tractors, diggers 😂) you’re not just reading to them, you’re connecting with them.
Building confidence, imagination, and emotional connection. Helping them better understand the world around them and engaging through things they are passionate about.
It can be as little as 15 minutes…
…and the right book 😉