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Profile: Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs.
Written by: Ruby Polanco
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
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Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs.
Use this simple, team friendly guide to audit your cupboards and storerooms, reduce waste, uncover forgotten resources, align learning with children’s needs, and restock with intentional, EYLF aligned purchasing.
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
3811 Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs. Fostering Positive Transitions 3811 Fostering Positive Transitions Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs. 3811 3 3
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
Curious about Play Fostering Positive Transitions Fostering Positive Transitions
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
y Ruby Polanco n
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
Curious about Play Fostering Positive Transitions 3811 2 Fostering Positive Transitions Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs. Supporting children through change with care, connection, and environments designed to meet emotional needs. blog 3 Blog Post 2026-01-27 00:00:00 2026-01-28 10:58:08
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
0 3811 Fostering Positive Transitions
Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Known in Care
For young children, transitions can feel big. Walking into care for the first time, saying goodbye
to a familiar loved one, moving into new room or even shifting between activities during the
day can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and overwhelm. These moments matter. When
children are supported by educators who know them deeply and environments that respond
to their emotional needs, transitions become less about coping with change and more about
feeling safe, supported and understood.
Understanding the Impact of Transitions
Whilst daily transitions may seem small to us, each child is unique, bringing their own life experiences with them, and with that, their reactions to transitions can be wildly different from what we might expect. It’s important to approach each transition with empathy and patience, recognising that what may seem like a minor shift in routine to an adult can be a significant event for a child. Educators and caregivers
can support these transitions by creating a predictable environment, establishing routines, getting to
know and understand children and providing reassurance through consistent and nurturing interactions.
By acknowledging the emotions a child may feel during transitions, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or hesitation, we can offer the right support and interventions. This might include allowing extra time for a child to adjust, creating safe spaces, encouraging them to express their feelings, special resources, or involving them in decisions about their everyday activities to give them a sense of control and stability.
Additionally, communication is key. Regular touchpoints with caregivers, parents, and educators can help ensure that everyone involved in the child’s life is aligned in their approach, thereby reinforcing a supportive network. By doing so, we help children build resilience and confidence, equipping them to handle future transitions with greater ease and assurance.
Knowing Your Children
As an educator, one of the most important things you can do to support children through transitions is to know and understand them, beyond the basics. So what does that look like?
Through connecting with your fellow educators, leadership, parents, caregivers and even external supports where applicable, you can build a deep understanding of the children in your care. To build a strong sense of belonging for children who are showing signs of distress during transitions, such as lots of tears, destructive behaviour, anger, defiance or even withdrawal, it’s crucial to develop an understanding of the following aspects for every child:
interests
comfort items
calm-down or support strategies used outside of care
triggers and stress responses
cultural and family context
communication styles and preferences
To effectively support children's unique needs, gather information and engage in regular conversations with them and their families. Document insights about each child to create a collaborative environment focused on their wellbeing. Involve children in transition plans to empower them and enhance their confidence. Transform transitions into growth opportunities by providing support and understanding, while fostering resilience and emotional awareness in children during times of change.
Creating Safe Spaces for Transition
Another great tool for supporting children during transition is to create safe spaces within your classroom or centre.
Transitional Spaces
One particular environment that you can create to support children coming into the classroom, be it for the first time or on any given day, is a comfortable transitional space. This might look like a comfortable chair or couch at the entrance to your room, comforters like a plush toy or calming sensory items. You might even like to include books that address transitions like ‘Owl Babies’ as a reminder that parents always come back. These spaces should be inviting and calming, acting as a gentle bridge between home and the classroom. By placing these areas near the entrance, children can pause, have one final cuddle with caregivers or settle in with an educator, gather their thoughts, and adjust at their own pace before diving into the day's activities.
Quiet Retreats For transitions that occur throughout the day, it’s important to include safe environments within the room that offer a quiet reprieve for children who are overwhelmed. These quiet retreats can be designed with soft lighting, cosy cushions, soothing resources like Bellbird’s DIY Calm Down Bottle, and calming elements like nature sounds or gentle music. They serve as sanctuaries where children can take a moment to decompress, reflect, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude. By providing these spaces, educators show children that it’s okay to take a break and that their emotional well-being is a priority. Support children who need help preparing for transitions by using quiet retreats as a bridge between one activity and the next (i.e. “In 10 minutes we are having group time, would you like 5 minutes in the quiet space first to get ready?”)
Transition with Care
If you find yourself facing difficult transitions within your room, remember that you're not alone, and many educators encounter similar challenges every day. Through your observational skills, communication and connections with children, families and caregivers and the intentional creation of safe environments, transitions can be transformed from potential stressors into enriching experiences that contribute to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, fostering a supportive atmosphere where children feel valued and understood makes all the difference.
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