When I walk my 3 year olds down to large motor we have to walk through
the whole center, including the baby room. I tell my children that we are
going to "tiptoe" through the baby room. I elaborately demonstrate
a tiptoe and put my finger to my lips and say SHHH. The children imitate it
the whole way to gym. They move slowly and quietly because you can't run
when you tiptoe! When ever I forget this step the children tend to run and
trip.
Marisa
Contact_Email:
idea
Sing, Sing, Sing!!! I am not a good singer but I sing a lot during
transitions and the children respond. If we are putting on our coats, I'll sing
to any tune that comes to me. "Let's get our coats on now, coats on now,
coats on now.... Or if we are almost done cleaning and some kids are all done,
sing "If you are all done cleaning, come line up... come sit down.... go
get your coat... Remember you don't need a good voice or know how to read music
just sing whatever you were going to tell them. It works
Contact_FullName:
Donna
Contact_Email:
Schroer@Gateway.net
Date: 8-19-99
I work in a daycare setting with children from 2 through 5 and moving a group of 10 to
20 can be a challenge. We have been using this chant for a few months and it has made the
transition from one area of the center to another much easier. You can sing it or just
chant; Hands at your side and feet on the floor; Hands at your side and feet on the floor;
Hands at your side and feet on the floor as we march, march, march right out the door. You
may substitute other actions such as tiptoe, skate, hop, etc. The children have become
very excited when they hear the chant begin and lining up has even improved. It sounds too
simple, but it really has worked!
Name:
Gena
E-Mail:
davdoane@pacbell.net
Date: 8-13-99
As our bathroom is not in our room, we have to line up against a wall and file in and
out of the bathroom in the hall. It is hard to make the children stay against the wall
while the other children are finishing up. I take an extra large paint brush with me and
as the children come out, I paint imaginary glue all over their backs and they glue
themselves to the wall. The squirmy ones sometimes need a second coat but they usually are
glued to the wall by the time the rest of the class is finished. It can even become the
"line leader/daily helpers" job for the day! You'd be surprised how badly
they'll want to stick themselves to the wall!!
Name:
Miriam
Email:
hipp@ptd.net
Date: 7-24-99
Here is a song that my preschoolers enjoy singing at the end of the day. I sing and
they sing back to me (to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?")
Teacher: Goodbye,
children.
Children: Goodbye, teacher.
Teacher: I'll see you soon.
Children: We'll see you
soon.
Teacher: See you next on (sing name of next day of class).
Children: See you next on
_____.
Teacher: We'll work and play.
Children: We'll work and play.
I've sung other "goodbye" songs with the children over the years but this
seems to be the all-time favorite.
Name:
Karen
E-Mail:
KD24464@AOL.com
Date: 6-28-99
I teach 2-3 year olds and have found the following game a really useful transition when
sending children to the bathroom or onto another activity. The game has also been used
very effectively when learning new children's names. The words to the game are : "Who
stole the cookie from the cookie jar ? "(Enter a child's name) stole the cookie from
the cookie jar.
This verse is repeated over and over until all children's names have been called.
Whilst saying the verse more than one child's name can be called at a time. In addition to
singing this verse I use body percussion to tap out a beat the children find this very
amusing.
Name:
CHERYL
E-Mail:
CBSHINFORMATION@PRODIGY.NET
Date: 6-28-99
3-5 minute warnings.
This is a very important step for young children. It is very difficult for them to stop
an activity when they are in the height of their creativeness!!!
Try to always give them a warning that a transition is about to happen.
For example, if you will be going outside in 10 minutes, shut off the lights and tell
the children that there are 5 more minutes until clean up. (When we shut off the lights the
children usually get instantly quiet from the surprise of it. We then softly sing
"Stop, look and listen" before we give the warning.
In five minutes, do the same thing, only tell them that it is clean up time.
For older preschoolers, the above can be a classroom helper job--lights!
Another way to clean up is to give one warning and then we ring a wrist bell and sing
the Barney Clean up song or other clean up song.
Pick a song that will always be used for a specific transition. One of my collegues
uses the Circle of Life song from Lion King for the clean up song. When the children hear
it, they know what "time" it is.
Name:
Maree
Email:
gerkes@microtech.com.au
Date: 5-31-99
I run a Playcentre which caters for 3-5year olds. We use this fingerplay as a
transition from group to morning tea. 2 little children sitting on the floor 1 named
(Alice) and 1 named (Steven). Fly away Alice Fly away Steven Wash your hands and collect
your morning tea.
Using actions for Two Little Dickie Birds and pretending to wash our hands and eat.
morning tea.
We keep changing names until all children have left.
Name:
Sue
Email:
sbanie@wabeno.k12.wi.us
Date: 5-31-99
When children need to move to another area have them listen to directions about how to
move. Some examples are "with 3 body parts touching the floor", " on
tiptoes", or "like a skater".
Name:
Gania Rose
Email:
GaniaPoe@Aol.Com
Date: 5-31-99
An excellent way to transition a class from one area to the next, such as from center
play into circle time is to play "What's in the sack?" Little ones LOVE secrets
and surprises and this offers some of both! Just get a sack, either made of fabric or just
a brown paper sack, then put something really neat in it, like a koosh ball, or a finger
puppet! Now just walk around the room, muttering, "Gee, I wonder what's in this
sack?" Eventually the children will begin to flock over, one by one, wanting to find
out, what is in the sack! Allow them to each reach in and feel the object, without being
able to see it. Now tell them that you are going to show them all what's in the sack, but
first "Let's all go to circle time and sit down, so that we can all see." or
"First let's go line up at the door and be very quiet, so I can show everyone what's
in here!". If you put something really fascinating in the sack the first time you do
this, it will work like a charm every time!! =)
Name:
Tonya
Email:
n/a
Date: 5-31-99
I teach 3 and 4 year olds and I made up this clever little poem to help the children
know when it's transition time and also when it's time to line up! "If you have on
red then you heard what I said. (You heard me say that it's time to line up.) If you have
on blue then you know what to do. ( You know that it's time to line up.) If you have on
green then you know what I mean. If you have on pink then you know what I think. ( I think
you should be getting ready to line up.) If you have on white then you know what's
right. (It's right to go to the end of the line and not in front of someone else.) If you
have on black then your name must be Jack. If you have on purple then you like to eat
Slurple.(a pretend drink that is like the 7 Eleven Slurpee) If you have on Grey oh what a
wonderful day! If you have on brown then you better get down. If you have on yellow then
you're a nice fellow. If you have on orange, well that's just orange."
Ever since I have been using this poem it has really helped my class learn its colors
and it has really cut down the time I used to spend repeating what we were getting ready
to do. It has worked so well that should I ever just say that "It's time to get in
line," then someone in my class will always say, "Well Miss Tonya you forgot to
say red I said, blue you know what to do, etc.!
Name:
Stacey
Email:
cbone@execpc.com
Date: 5-31-99
I teach preschool, and am always trying to teach something in secret ways in the form
of a game. A transition that I have used all year to get the children from our first group
time to our activity tables: I have something called puzzle pals. Each child closes their
eyes and I give each of them a card that is in the shape of a puzzle piece. I often use
letters or numbers. After everyone has a card we go around the circle and everyone has a
chance to tell us what they have. Two children match (Both have the letter E) Once
everyone finds their "pal" I call them to the tables by letters. I originally
did this at the beginning of the year for the children to get to know each other. They
enjoyed it so much that I have done this using different topics. (numbers, colors, shapes)
I have also used capital letters to lower case letters once the children are familiar with
all the letters. The children love this game, and it reinforces their learning.
Name:
Cathy
Email:
cathypaul@bigpond.com
Date: 5-31-99
I work in long day care & we have this favorite song at transition times. 1 or 2
staff stand at the door if we are outside or on the mat if we are inside clapping our
hands & singing; Over here, over here Hurry up, hurry up Boys and girls together Boys
& girls together Lets line up (or wash hands/sit down etc) Lets line up
The children clap & sing for us now, they like to feel in control!
Name:
Peg
Email:
Psteach45@aol.com
Date: 5-31-99
WONDERFUL IDEAS HERE. THANKS! When we walk through the halls, I sprinkle the children
with INVISIBLE DUST. You know, invisible people can not be seen or heard, so we tiptoe
quietly (well, relatively so ) to our destination!
Name:
Kim
Email:
K7224@aol.com
Date: 12-6-98
To get your kids to keep their hands to themselves and stay quiet as you walk
down the hall, just ask them for HUGS and KISSES. Wrap your arms around your body and give
a little squeeze for a hug. Pucker your lips (without smacking them) for a kiss. Your kids
will love it! "Hugs and kisses" sounds so much better then "Be quiet and
keep your hands to yourself", and it gives the children something to do with their
hands and mouths.
8-18-98
Name: Cindy
E-Mail: crhyne@brightok.net
We sing this song in out Head Start center to line up to go outside
to play...LITTLE RED BOX (you can change the color)
I wish I had a little red box,
To put my (child's name) in
I would take him/her out and XXX (smooch sound 3times)
And put him/her back again.
8-18-98
Name: Alison
E-Mail: cooter697@aol.com
As a preschool teacher, it's often hard to keep the children quiet
while moving through the hallways, let alone past the baby rooms! We ask the children to
put on their "bubbles" as we walk to the playground or gym. It keeps them
focused and quiet while going somewhere special. They just make their cheeks look like
bubbles to accomplish this transition!.
6-30-98
Name: Teri
E-Mail: teri123@yahoo.com
Good Bye Song tune- Are your sleeping?
Teacher: Good bye children
Children: Good bye teacher
Teacher: I'll see you soon.
Children: We'll see you soon.
Teacher: See you next on (_____)
Children: We'll see you next on (_____)
Teacher: We'll work and play.
Children: We'll work and play.
5-29-98
Name: Alisa
E-Mail: to0muchnfo@aol.com
I play "I spy" with the kids while they wait to go
outside. I also play the same game with the photographs that I taped to the wall in the
hall.
2-16-98
Name: jeanne
E-Mail: jmhart@worldnet.att.net
When I take Kinder or Pre-Kinder students walking in the hall, we
prepare by singing the following (tune: If You're Happy and You Know It):
When we're walking in the hall, we're very quiet!
When we're walking in the hall, we're very quiet!
When we're walking in the hall, we're very, very quiet!
And we never, never, ever push our neighbors!
Seems like anytime I neglect this step we have problems! The 1/2
minute it takes to prepare the kids pays off in the end!
Name: June E-Mail:
JuneG7@aol.com
One I like to use to line my children up to leave the room is from
Every
Day Songs.
Quiet, Quiet Let's be Quiet (Three times)
We want it very Quiet
Stand up, Stand up and be quiet (Three Times)
We're standing and we're quiet
Slowly, Slowly get in line now (Three Times)
We're getting into line now
Softly, softly walking (Three Times)
We're walking very softly
Name: Cindy E-Mail:
arolla@geocities.com
I Have Something In My Pocket
This transition works great for my preschool class!! it's sung to
the tune of
"I Have Something In My Pocket"
I have a special little blue (pick a color the child is wearing)
box,
I'd put (child's name) in,
I'd take him/her out, and X X X(smooch kiss, 3X)
And put him/her back again,
(child's name), (child's name), go and wash your hands.
Submitted by: Jean
E-mail: mjg74@dfs.the-link.net Submitted by:
Jean E-mail: mjg74@dfs.the-link.net
Transition Songs
One little, two little, three little children
four little, five little, six little children,
seven little, eight little, nine little children,
All in the circle. (we have a circular rug we call "the circle")
Another song that works well is:
To*( large group) time we go,
To large group time we go,
Heigh Ho, the Dairy-oh,
To large group time we go.
(change times of the day as appropriate)
Another song they love to sing as we're walking back inside from outside
time is:
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah...
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com Submitted by:
Daylene E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held at San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
General Tips For Transition Times
1. There is no one right way to carry out transition time. There
are many ways to make things easier, more pleasant, depending upon your situation.
Experiment!
2. Think through transition times and problem-solve what might go
wrong. Be preventive.
3. Make sure children know the routine. Follow the routine long
enough so that the children are familiar with it and know what they are supposed to do.
4. Be sure the daily routine has a minimum of major transitions.
Many of the transitions in your program are unavoidable, but there might be some you could
change which would make the day a little easier.
5. Designate meeting places for major transition times so that
children know where to go next.
6. Let children help you make up ways of moving from one place or
activity to the next. Tie in moving with your theme or topic for the week. Transition is
more fun this way.
7. Begin activities without long, initial waiting periods; have
your materials ready or let children help you prepare the activity.
8. Use make-believe as a means of dealing with transitions and
periods of waiting; when absorbed in make-believe games, time passes rapidly for children.
9. Finger plays are great at any time of the day to get wiggles out
and to release pent-up energy, and to keep children active and interested while waiting.
10. Give a 5-minute warning about the transition. Help the children
finish activities by alerting them to the reasons for change. Respect the children's time
and work by giving opportunities to finish work later on or to repeat an activity.
11. Try not to announce a change. Sometimes announcements cause
chaos; everyone moves at once when it is not even time. Mention your change to a few
children at a time and help them to get ready for the transition.
12. Make the best use of staffing and helpful children to avoid
everyone changing at exactly the same time. Children can learn to help each other and you,
and make transition a time of working together.
13. Talk to the children about what is happening next, especially
if there is a change in the routine.
14. Develop your own bag of tricks for the times the unexpected
occurs, when a planned activity does not last as long as you thought it would or does not
interest the children.
15. Flexibility and a sense of humor can help when nothing goes
right! Think about how you will handle it the next time.
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held in San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
Arrival Time Transitional Activities
Children arrive at your program in a variety of moods--energetic
and ready to go; half-asleep and grumpy; upset and crying. If you can use this transition
time as an opportunity to talk to parents, your whole day will be better. A parent might
communicate necessary information. such as a child's lack of sleep, which will help you to
adjust for the child that day. You can also make parents feel more comfortable about the
separation by helping them say goodbye to the child, getting the child involved and
letting the parent know s/he can call you back later to find out how the child is doing.
Have simple, easily supervised activities, such as playdough,
available for those who are ready for activity so that you can spend time with the crying
child. Offer enough selections, but close off areas which require more supervision than
you can provide. Have some children help you with mixing the paint or setting the
breakfast table. Giving children who have the skills and energy real jobs to do can make
the early morning easier and more pleasant.
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held in San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
Transitional Activities For Moving From One Activity To Another
These are times teachers get worried about group control and become
more regimented. Look for ways to make such times more fun for you and the children. Use
transition activities that move a few people at a time; this cuts down on confusion from
mass movement and boredom from long waiting periods.
Ways to move can relate to the theme or topic of the week. They can
also promote skills and social development. Some examples are:
'If you are sitting next to Ann, you may hop like a rabbit to
lunch."
"When I hold up a card with your name on it. you may go wash
your hands."
"Let's move with a partner to the playground."
When there is no way to avoid mass movement and waiting times, lead
the children in songs or fingerplays while you are getting ready. Use children as
helpers--tying shoes, putting on coats, leading songs. If you have a very young group, get
an older child from another group to help you. Show children that waiting times can he fun
when you use a little imagination (and you do not have to wait too long). Some
examples are:
A Transition Poem
Caterpillars bump
Worms wiggle
Bugs jiggle
Rabbits hop
Horses clop
Puppies bounce
Kittens pounce
Lions stalk
But . . .
I walk
Walking Robots
See the little walking robots
See them walk, walk, walk
See them walking in a row.
(You can substitute jump, hop or other ways of moving)
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held in San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
Restroom Time
Toileting time, particularly after lunch, can be chaotic. Cut down as much as
you can on the time children have to wait in line. After children understand the routine,
you can have different activities going on at once rather than everyone doing the same
thing. Some children can be Toileting, some wiping off lunch tables and others brushing
their teeth. How much you want to have going on at once would depend upon your center
setup, particularly the number of staff people. Since waiting in line for some of the time
is unavoidable, try simple make-believe games, riddles, songs and fingerplays which you
can start and children can continue while you unstop a toilet or clean up the floor.
"Going to the Zoo"--say to children, I'm going to the zoo and
I'm going to . . . (hop like a rabbit). How are you going 10 get there?" Children
take turns responding as to how they would get to the zoo.
"My Ship Went Sailing"--say to the children, "My ship went
sailing and it carried some . . . (bananas)." Children take turns telling what their
ships would carry.
"Classification Game"--have children name all the animals, all
the food, all the things that fly, etc., that they can think of.
"Body Parts Guessing Game"--"I can see you with my ____. I
can hear you with my_____. Etc.
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held at San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
Field trips
Talk about the trip you are taking and what the children Will see and do several
days in advance. Teach songs and fingerplays and tell stories that relate to the trip.
These can be used during field trip transitions, such as during the ride. Sometimes it is
a good idea to have large motor or outside activities before the field trip. Have one
adult helping some children to finish up the activities before the field trip and another
adult taking others outside to play for a few minutes or to get on the van. If you have a
group time before the field trip, keep it short. Moving a few children at a time onto the
van or into the car will save confusion. Think of fun ways to get on the van that will
help cut down on the pushing and shoving.
"Let's be ghosts floating on board the ghostly bus."
"Let's be fish and swim into the car."
"The busy bees are going on a trip away from the beehive. Buzz!"
Have adults stationed to help the children get in the vehicle and also to help
with the seat belts. Make use of children helping other children with seat belts. A seat
belt countdown can assist in getting everyone ready. "We are taking off, so fasten
your seat belts-- 10, 9,8...........
On the road, talk more about what will happen when you arrive. Look for
different colors, pictures, numbers and letters on road signs. Look for
tagalongs--vehicles with attachments (U-Hauls, boats, trailers). Have the children imagine
they are someplace, perhaps wherever you are going on your trip and talk about what you
will see. Help the driver drive with imaginary steering wheels (remind the children that
the vehicles you are driving have had tune-ups so the motors run quietly). Play word
games--rhyming words, opposites, long words or short words. Use songs, games and
fingerplays the children learned during group time.
Submitted by: Daylene
E-mail: aactchrday@aol.com
Note: The ideas below were passed on to me years ago at a Head Start
Conference held at San Diego in 1992. The source and author is unknown.
Departure Time
The end of the day can have its own problems just as the beginning of the day
often does. Trying to talk to parents, help the children get their belongings together and
keep an eye on other children is often hectic. Sometimes children have as hard a time
leaving as they do arriving and they and their parents might need some help from you. You
can have simple, quiet activities, such as table games, story records and flannel board
stories to help put the children in a relaxed mood before departure time. You can also let
children know that it is close to going home time and help them think of things to tell or
show their parents. When parents arrive, teachers can let them know how their children's
day went. Try to pass on specific, as well as some positive information that will help a
parent and child with this transition. One wav to aid with departure time is to use
children as helpers for end-of-the-day chores. That way you do not have a lot of extra
cleaning to do after the children leave.
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