ungently Whether we are in the Baby music class or in our Big Kids class, we place great importance in transitioning from one activity to the next. Different methods help prepare the parents and children with what we are about to do next, so everyone remains engaged and interested. Creating conversations about our next topic always helps. Singing or creating fun steady beat by clapping or using drums also help to shift our focus on to the next activity.
At home, it is really helpful for parents to have 1 or 2 techniques up their sleeve, to help transition their little toddlers from one activity to the next. As adults, we can easily map out our day just by picturing it in our head, or even making a list. Not so easy for our young toddlers.
It takes a while for children to grasp the concept of time. That’s why Christmas and Birthdays remain so exciting for children, even when they reach their early teens.
For toddlers, their time ‘map’ is probably limited to meal times (when they can smell cooking or watching you prepare their food), bath times and sleep times.
So while you might think nothing of making a quick stop at the grocery shop to grab something for dinner, this little detour can sometimes lead to toddler tantrum, especially if combined with tiredness, hunger or just plain out-of- the- normal routine experience.
Here’s a couple of tips which may help to avoid these tantrums:
1. Distraction – even a simple new object (not necessarily a toy), which they can safely play with, will hold their attention and may do the trick.
2. Fun transition – why not make the transitions themselves fun! See how many yellow cars you can both spot in the car park! Or see if anyone is wearing your child’s favourite colour at the shops today?!
At 7 notes, we make sure our class transitions are enjoyable activities in itself, so music time is a smooth, simple and happy time for all!
