A Focus on Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health

October 2023

Transitions 

This newsletter focuses on sharing information on infant/early childhood mental health and

the importance of relationship-based approaches and supports that help infants and young children feel safe, supported, and valued by the adults around them. The newsletter, and the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) program, is made possible by a partnership between the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Key.

Welcome

Welcome to the October 2023 edition of the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health newsletter! October’s topic is the importance of routines and smooth transitions for young children.

From eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov: 

 “Familiar activities can provide comfort for both adults and children during challenging and uncertain times. Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day.

Schedules and routines in the group care setting and at home help children: 

• Feel in control of their environment. 
• Feel safe, secure, and comfortable. 
• Know what is happening now and what comes next. 
• Know how to do an activity or task. 
• Engage in learning”  

Transitions refer to the times in between one activity (or place) and the next. This issue will help adults create routines and habits to support smooth transitions for children and adults.  

DEIB

For many children, child care is their first significant opportunity to learn about routines and behaviors that are different from their home life. They find themselves in an environment—such as a classroom that reflects a culture different from their home culture—and are likely to feel confused, isolated, alienated, conflicted, and less competent because what they've learned so far in their home culture simply doesn't apply. Therefore, they may have trouble learning, understanding the rules, and following directions.

How often have you found yourself telling a child, “Eyes on me,” when lining up to go outside? Or expected them to hurry and clean up to get ready for lunch?

Be mindful when giving a transition direction. A child’s culture may influence how they respond leading teachers to misinterpret that behavior. Learn more how cultural differences can play out in the classroom.

Classroom Transitions

Even in the best of times, transitions can be difficult, but with a little planning and flexibility you can minimize the frustrations that commonly accompany transitions for both yourself and the children in your care. Learn about things to try in your own classroom and program.

Planning transitions to Prevent Challenging Behavior. Some children find it difficult to cope with transitions and this can lead to challenging behavior. When teachers have evaluated transitions and put strategies in place to help children transition more easily, transitions can be fun and successful times for children and teachers alike.

Classroom Transitions video 3:47. Learn ways to help children use positive behaviors during classroom transitions.

Sit still! Wait! Why make transitions difficult when you can move instead? Recognizing that the youngest children need support with skills like diapering, pottying, handwashing, and putting on coats and shoes, consider movement during the “waiting time” to keep the other children who are ready to go outside or start a new experience engaged.

Utilizing Wait and Transition Times in the Classroom. If you would describe wait and transition times in your classroom as chaotic, check out these tips for better utilizing wait and transition times in the classroom.

Practical Strategies to Support Classroom Transitions

These easy-to-use resources and tools were created for teachers and caregivers to target and support transitions in the early learning environment.

Transition Visual Cards. The more children can predict and participate in the schedule and activities of the day, the less likely it is that challenging behavior will occur and the more likely it is they will engage in transitions. Use these cards to help prepare children for transitions and engage them in the change that is taking place.

Some Days Are Different Social Story NCPMI. Use this scripted story to help support children when the day at school is different. Also available in Spanish. 

Songs for Classroom Transitions. Playing music and singing songs is an effective and quick transitioning strategy. It connects songs with specific classroom expectations. These classroom transitions songs are available from a variety of albums.

40 Unique Online timers to Keep Learning on Track. Online timers are a valuable tool for keeping children on track or just to give them a break. You can use them during play and cleanup times, and transitions. Fun online one minute to 20 minute timers that kids will love! 

Checklist of Effective Classroom Transition Practices. Consider these 12 practices on this checklist to guide and support smooth classroom transitions. 

School-Age Zone

A classroom transition is the process of moving from one lesson, space, or event to another before, during and after the school day. How do you make sure they are effective? Learn ways to help children use positive behavior during classroom transitions.

The Secret to Effective Classroom Transitions. Transitions are a great opportunity to get students up and moving – waking their brains up and giving them a good stretch. The key to students transitioning effectively and quickly throughout the day is practice, practice, practice! And why not turn it into a little bit of fun? 

Four Quick Activities to Help Students Shift from Classroom to After School. When the school day ends, many students file into after school programs where they continue to learn and explore until it’s time to go home. But after hours of sitting at their desks, it may be difficult for students to redirect their attention and focus on after school enrichment. 

Mastering Classroom Transitions. Move students in and out of class and between activities smoothly to save valuable instruction time. Shifting students from one task to another is worth getting right!

Family Focus

Transitioning, or moving, to new places, people and activities is something we do many times during the day. However, change can be overwhelming and seem unpredictable for your child, especially when she is not ready to move on to the next place or activity. Children make many transitions each day— from parents to teachers, from home to car, or from play time to the dinner table, for example. When you help your child prepare for transitions you are helping her to learn a valuable skill.

11 Ways to Help Children Say Goodbye. Young children need support as they say goodbye to parents and family and start their day at childcare. Use these tips to help your child transition into the classroom.

Helping Children Transition Between Activities. For some young children, moving from one activity to another (e.g., playing with toys to dinner time, playing outside to bath time, watching a movie to brushing teeth), results in confusion, frustration, or challenging behaviors. Adults can help children predict what is coming next which helps make transitions smoother. Also available in Spanish.

Challenging Behavior Tips. Young children need help from adults to learn how they are expected to behave in social situations. Check out these helpful tips for how families can promote their child’s positive behavior during common routines that can sometimes be challenging.

Handling Transitions. Learn tips to handle transitions, and why routines can help make transitions easier. 

Office Hours

IECMH Consultation helps adults strengthen their relationships with young children and build capacity to respond to children’s social-emotional needs. IECMHC can help reduce caregiver stress, as well as increase caregivers’ reflective practice skills.

IECMH Consultants are available by appointment to provide IECMHC Virtual Office Hours consultation via telephone or video conference. IECMHC Virtual Office Hours is a short-term, collaborative, problem-solving conversation to help you find next steps for: Child Social-Emotional Concerns | Child Behavioral or Developmental Concerns Emotional Well-being of Teachers and Caregivers | Partnering with Families.

Appointments are held on the first and third Fridays of the month, or other days/times by request. Get more info.

Accessing IECMHC Services

The Pennsylvania Key has streamlined the process for Keystone STARS programs to request Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC). Child care providers can request services by using the Request for Service Form (PDF). Completed forms can be submitted via email PAIECMH@pakeys.org or faxed to 717-213-3749.

Programs and families can contact the program leadership directly at PAIECMH@pakeys.org with questions or concerns.

Accessing SACCMHC Services

With the generous support of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) the Pennsylvania Key IECMH Consultation team has expanded to include four mental Health consultants to support School Age Child Care (SACC) programs participating in Keystone STARS.  This service will be primarily tele-consultation support. Click here to request support.  

Share your feedback! We'd like to hear what you think about infant early childhood mental health.

Are there resources you'd like to see? Questions you have? Tell us! Send your feedback to PAIECMH@pakeys.org.