Transitions that Work!

In many classrooms, it's during transition times that things get a little chaotic, but here in the Child Development Learning Lab come up with cleaver transitions that work. Smooth and well-rehearsed classroom procedures are very important because it helps both the teachers and students to make their classroom learning environment more efficient, productive and positive. With a lot of new faces arriving in the CDLL the teachers are teaching and explicitly demonstrating basic transition skills to the children to help the classroom activities are not disturbed when the students transition from one activity to the next.

Through out the CDLL we provide visual schedules to help both the students and the teachers to stay on schedule every day. This is a great way to see when transitions are needed during the school day. Between every activity transitions are needed in order to stay on schedule.

Above is a picture of Mr. Jonaitis and Busola making their plan for the day. This allows the children to think about and choose the activity they would like to participate in later on in the day. This allows the teachers to dismiss the students in groups for a well organized transition.

Before each activity ends, a Lead teacher will walk around the room giving verbal warnings on when to clean up. This allows the children to finish their projects and start thinking about cleaning up. Then when it is time for clean up each student is aware that we will be moving on to the next activity.

Above is a picture of a couple of children sitting in their individual cubbies before heading outside. This allows the teachers to physically see when students are ready to go outside and play. This also allows time for the teachers to accommodate any needs such as sunscreen, rain boots or snow pants.


There are many other transitions that happen through out the school day. For example, walking to the cafeteria can be as simple as lining up or giving the children a task such as skipping to lunch, or acting like secret agents. The same transition process is used on a regular basis, that help in developing a habit for the students. With smooth transitions in place, the day will be less stressful for both teacher and students and will help the students when they transition from preschool to grade school. We are already seeing improvements through out the day when it comes to transitions.


Michigan Standard of Quality:
Community Collaboration and Financial Support
2. The program works cooperatively and collaboratively with other early childhood programs in the community in order to facilitate children's transition into and out of programs and from one program to another.

Jasmine Palenske HDF 409