The moments that feel small but are not. Every early years practitioner knows these moments well. It is time to tidy up. Come inside. Sit for a snack. Move to the carpet. What looks like a simple shift in activity can quickly turn into tears, resistance, or a child who completely shuts down. For toddlers, transitions are often the hardest part of the day, not because they are unwilling, but because their brains are still learning how to cope with change.
Young children move through dozens of transitions every day. Some are familiar and routine. Others, such as separating from a caregiver or entering a new space, carry real emotional weight. Research on early transitions shows that these experiences can activate stress systems and shape how children respond to everyday change later on (4). When we understand what is happening in the brain, we respond with more empathy and, just as importantly, with more effective support.
EduEnhance is a registered provider of The CPD Certification Service UK. Read the full article on their website.
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