Transitioning from one activity to another can be challenging for many children, especially those with neurodiverse needs. These transitions often require additional support, as children thrive on familiarity, and sudden changes can feel daunting.
Musical Cues
One effective strategy is the use of songs. In music therapy sessions, we often use start and end songs as cues for the children. These songs signal that it’s time to wrap up. You can try this simple tune to the melody of “Frère Jacques”:
Time to finish, time to finish,
Time to stop, time to stop.
We’re gonna do some other things,
We’re gonna do some other things,
Off we go, off we go.
Verbally Preparing for Transitions
Another effective strategy is to prepare the child for the upcoming transition. I like to start gently reminding them one minute before the last five minutes of an activity. For example, I might say, “We’ll finish music in five minutes” and then follow up with “We have four minutes left.” This approach provides them with processing time to get ready for the change.
If the child is reluctant to move when zero minutes are left, I give them about one minute of space. I find that allowing them this time, followed by another countdown, works better than pushing them to transition too quickly.
Share Your Ideas!
Do you have any tips or strategies that work for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts—please share your ideas in the comments below!
Feel Better Music Therapy 