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Curriculum Activities for Transitioning Toddlers

Select activities that won’t add stress for the teacher during the time when a new child or family is in the classroom. Plan familiar activities that keep the children already enrolled interested and on task, so you can invest in establishing a relationship with the new child and family.

• Table Drawing �" Cover a table completely with butcher paper. Add markers, crayons, or colored chalk.
• Contact Paper Collage �" Cover a table with contact paper, sticky side up. Place a collection of things to add to the collage near by.
• What I Like �" Put out vehicles, animals, trains, dolls, insects, etc., as block supports to discover the new child’s interests.
• Counting Children �" Count children by number whenever you are transitioning to a new activity. Remind children that a new child has joined the group so the number of children has changed.
• Book Reading �" Ask new parents to bring in the child’s favorite books.

Curriculum Activities for
Transitioning Preschoolers

Include children in welcoming a new child. Ask for their input about ways to make new children feel welcome. Build on children’s naturalcuriosity to create a welcoming environment and a willingness to participate and help.

• Make a Welcome Sign �" Talk about the new friend who will join the group and make a sign for him or her.
• Face Collage �" Talk about faces, look at faces in a mirror, and cut out facial features to add to face-shaped construction paper.
• Counting Fingers/Children �" Count children during group time, then fingers, then feet, etc.
• Books �" Add books about friendship and transitions to the library area.
• Make Goo �" Mix liquid starch and glue in a one-to-one ratio.

Step 2:
Establish three-way
information sharing

Communication between the
family and the school

Keeping the lines of communication open with the family is essential in building a trustful relationship. When the family feels that they can share any concerns with the teacher and vice versa, partnerships emerge. Families and teachers must also be able to expect an honest and concise response to those concerns. Sharing information between the teacher and the family helps build this trust. Written and verbal information are both important.

Verbal communication is so important during transitions.

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