(thanks to Pollygreen berg for enlightenment)
Meera
tells me that all of her children give her fits on and off during each day.
“They can’t shift gears from one thing to another,” Meera frets. “Especially Aman. He pushes my buttons. I am
efficient. I want to move swiftly though my day. But Aman! He is such an
intense little boy. Whatever he is doing he is deeply into it. We can’t get him
to switch to what needs to be done next.”
Some
children are much less adaptable than others. I guess, Aman is one of
them. Yet like many other children ,
your child must endure so many changes and waits (transitions) throughout the
day. And like so many other children you child must be having trouble with
transition.
Here is a brief guide for
transitions
Transition the weak spots vulnerable
for Misbehaviors
1.
Unreasonable rigidity
breeds to blowups and dawdling dare devils. Dawdling is a disruptive and
powerful form of resistance. But biggest chaos comes in the life of a child is in
from ‘lack of schedule to follow’.
2.
The
routine embedded in a daily schedule provide security—they give young
children a protected ,safely sounded feeling.
3. Important part of
positive self esteem
An important part of
positive self esteem is the ability to
predict what’s about to happen. A schedule provides children with many
opportunity to predict and therefore, to prepare emotionally.
4. Chance to feel
intelligent and competent
Children need many
chances each day to feel intelligent and competent. The less they feel like puppets
being led by strings you pull and the more they have information they need to
some self management , the easier transition time will be—that is , the more
likely it is that your child will do as you say.
Reduce
the number of transitions in your schedule as much as possible.
1. Large blocks of
play time
Large block of play time,
framed by necessary routines and errands, eliminates the need to interrupt
children so much. Then you can explain them that you are cooperating with his
need for time and you need him to cooperate with you need too.
2. They can’t and so
they don’t want to hurry
You child is naturally
busy, talkative –and a slowpoke when you want him to hurry. Young children are leisure lovers. This
makes it difficult to move them through many transitions in a typical day. To
the extent possible , stretch the time you allow in your schedule for
“finishing up,” “putting your coat on,” and so forth, to accommodate your child’s
turtle like pace. If you expect slowness and plan time for it, it won’t be so
aggravating.
