WHY TRANSITIONS ARE IMPORTANT
- To better prepare children for going from one activity to another.
- To ease into another topic.
- To bring closure to a topic.
- To help prevent chaos and stress that comes with transitioning.
TRANSITION OF THE WEEK
Wiggle-Wobble
Use this activity to help children get their wiggles out before group time or a time when they are going to have to sit still for an extended period, such as a car ride.
Materials Needed: none
How: Start this chant and have the children join in.
Heads go wiggle, wobble, (wiggle head from side to side)
Wiggle, wobble,
Wiggle wobble.
Heads go wiggle, wobble,
Then they STOP! (freeze)
Fingers go wiggle, wobble, (wiggle fingers)
Wiggle, wobble,
Wiggle, wobble.
Fingers go wiggle, wobble,
Then they STOP! (freeze with hands in lap)
Want to keep going? Have the children suggest other body parts they can wiggle wobble, then STOP!
(taken from Transition Tips and Tricks for Teachers, by Jean Feldman. Page 30)
IMPORTANT TIP
Have an understandable signal that represents a shift in activity and momentum. For example, the child knows that when the egg timer goes off, it is time to stop what they're doing and listen for what's about to come next.
RESOURCES
http://www.childcarelounge.com/Caregivers/songs/
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Transition+activities/
http://www.transitionmagician.com/
PARENTS!!!
We want your input and conversation. Please post your ideas, concerns, insight, examples that have (or haven't) worked for you, etc. This is a forum of open and honest discussion and we welcome your feedback.
