Preschool Transition Ideas - Magic Mist, Hats and Imagination

Ask any preschool teacher or parent about changing what is going on in the present moment and there will be unanimous agreement that this is one of the more difficult challenges. We all need help coming up with preschool transition ideas to ease the way.

Change is difficult for any age. Trying to switch from one activity to another is not only hard but often stressful especially for two and three year olds and adding to the challenge.

My goal with these preschool transition ideas is to make this fun, remove as much of the stress as possible and help make the change to be one that is expected--not out of the blue. Two to four year olds are working hard on declaring their independence and abilities. Abruptly changing the activity without giving them some way to feel in control, or having enough notice that they will need to change their activity can lead to unnecessary stress.

Children of all ages enjoy games, challenges. Give them enough warning to be able to stop what they are doing to anticipate doing something else which may be as much fun or more fun than the current project. This will work to everyone's advantage, yours and theirs.

All of these ideas can be "signals" for them that things are going to be changing and that they can help.

Verbal Notice and Magic Mist
I always start here to explain to them in a brief way that it will be time to end the current activity soon to get ready for something else. Then you can use any of the other transition ideas after this statement to help ease the change.

Magic Mist is an idea that I have used often and credit goes to a parent many years ago who shared this preschool transition activity with me. When it is time to end one activity and settle down for circle time or rest time, spray the room with Magic "are you listening" Mist. Use a clean spray bottle, fill with water and add a tiny drop of cinnamon flavoring in it. Spray up toward the ceiling so that the mist falls gently on the children. Tell them when the magic mist falls they need to be listening and getting ready for another preschool activity.

Hats
Try having a variety of hats in the dress up area. The teacher has some that fit her as well. Each hat can mean a different transition such as a Chef’s Hat means snack time. When the teacher puts this on, the children know that it will soon be time to have something to eat. Use a straw hat to indicate outdoor time. The ideas are limitless. This gets them to notice their surroundings and others and that they are responsible to notice and follow directions.

Imagination Bound
This is similar to Simon Says but you indicate that you will be airplanes to fly outside. Each child will put things away and then hold their arms out to the side to "fly" outside, or "tiptoe" to the circle area. When they have a part in the transition, especially a physical component the transition is fun and engaging.