Big Feelings at Transition Time: 7 Ways to Help Children Self Regulate
Pack up time, lining up, coming in from outside, saying goodbye to a parent. Transitions are where many of the big feelings in a childcare day happen. Children are being asked to stop something they enjoy and switch to something new, often before they are ready. The good news is that self regulation is a skill, and like any skill, it can be taught and practised.
What Is Self Regulation?
Self regulation is a child's growing ability to manage their emotions, attention and behaviour. It is what helps a child wait their turn, calm down after being upset or move from play to lunch without a meltdown. Young children are still developing this skill, so they need adults to co regulate with them first: staying calm, naming feelings and showing them what to do.
Why Transitions Are So Hard
Loss of control. Children are told to stop, often with little warning.
Busy environments. Noise and movement increase during transitions, which can overwhelm sensitive children.
Tired bodies. Before lunch and before rest, energy and patience are often low.
Seven Strategies That Help
1. Give a warning. "Five more minutes, then we pack up" gives children time to adjust. A visual timer helps younger children.
2. Use a predictable signal. A song, a chime or a hand signal tells children what is coming without raising voices.
3. Turn the transition into a game. Walk to the bathroom like quiet tigers or tiptoe to the mat like mice. Movement games use up energy and give children a job.
4. Breathe together. Three slow birthday candle breaths before a change helps everyone, educators included, reset.
5. Name the feeling. "You are sad that play time is finished. That is okay." Feeling understood helps children settle faster.
6. Offer a choice. "Do you want to hop or walk like a bear to the table?" A small choice restores a sense of control.
7. Keep routines consistent. When the day follows a familiar rhythm, children can predict what comes next and feel safer.
How Yoga Builds Self Regulation
Yoga gives children repeated, playful practice of exactly the skills they need during transitions. They learn to move fast and then stop and hold still, to notice how their body feels and to use their breath to calm down. Over weeks, these become tools children can reach for on their own.
Educators often tell us that once children know the breathing games from their weekly yoga session, a simple "let's do our bunny breaths" can settle a whole room during a tricky moment.
Linking It to the Frameworks
Supporting children to manage their emotions and behaviour links to EYLF Outcome 3, children have a strong sense of wellbeing, and Outcome 1, children have a strong sense of identity, as well as Quality Area 5 of the National Quality Standard, relationships with children.
Bring Calm Into Your Centre
Yoga Bears Kids Yoga runs weekly yoga and mindfulness sessions in early learning centres across Australia, giving children practical tools to manage big feelings. Learn about our early childhood yoga program or enquire today.
