HOW TO HELP A TODDLER TRANSITION BETWEEN TASKS: 4 Tips Improving Toddler Transitions to/from Tasks

Tips provided by Speedy Speech, LLC - Kelli Slemp, M.Ed, CCC-SLP
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Having trouble getting a child to move from one activity or task to another?!
Here are my TOP 4 tips for helping a toddler with transitions!
Let's be honest... very few of us like CHANGE!
Toddlers are the same! Especially when they are having FUN! (i.e. playing, rough housing, running around, playing in the bath, etc!)
Sooooo HOW in the world do we get them to transition from one activity to the other without a complete meltdown?!
Tip #1) Make the TIMER the bad guy by providing PLENTY of verbal and visual reminders for the remaining amount of time! AND place blame on the TIMER and instead of mom/dad!
"Timer says we can play for 15 minutes! Timer says we have 10 minutes, Timer says we have 5 minutes, Timer says we have 3 minutes, Timer says 1 minute! UH OH! Timer says 30 seconds! UH OHHHH! Timer went off! (Have your child push the button to turn the timer off) UGHH!! MAN! I wish we could play more but timer says ALL DONE! Then FOLLOW THROUGH with the transition and stay with the timer - don't extend "okay, another 5 minutes, etc" NO! What the timer says, goes. (aka what YOU say!) This will decrease future backtalking/compromise attempts and manipulations from your little one in the future. *Use Children's Countdown Timer in the app store for a VISUAL and FUN timer!*
Tip #2) Use a FIRST / THEN approach - teach this simple, yet effective technique using (FIRST) a preferred or fun instruction such as "first HIGH FIVE!" THEN cookie. and reward with another positive reinforcer. This will motivate your child to follow a simple instruction, with the promise of a reward after. Do this over and over again to develop trust and rapport. Then eventually transition the task into a non-preferred instruction paired with the positive reinforcement.
Tip #3) Make if FUN! Try incorporating a fun game or play routine while transitioning from the bathtub! (i.e. "clean up game" by naming a toy and having the child throw the toy from the bathtub into the clean up basket, dry it off, and THEN eventually, have the child "throw" themselves out of the tub and dry them off and toss them on the bed!
*Make a positive correlation between a non-preferred stimuli such as a car seat, by taking the car seat inside, putting it in front of the TV and feeding the person who is sitting in the car seat, cookies or another positive reinforcer - this creates a positive correlation for the stimuli!
Tip #4) Incorporate sensory play into a transition (i.e. after roughhousing with dad, then crawl through a tunnel into the kitchen and play with play-dough at the table to transition to dinner)
I hope these tips and tricks help your little one transition between tasks more easily!
Please leave comments, questions, and video requests down below!
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Пікірлер: 60

  • @nrepousis
    @nrepousis3 жыл бұрын

    Parent here of a nearly 3 year old with severe speech delay. Thank you for these tips and tricks! It’s amazing how little I correlated behavior, communication and my son’s speech development. You make learning seem so fun and change so easily attainable!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh my goodness, so happy to help! Thank you so much for the nice comment & for watching! Parents can totally do it, but they just have to know WHAT to do! Hang in there!

  • @snowdriftwood
    @snowdriftwood7 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much! 🤗

  • @marshasobie643
    @marshasobie6433 жыл бұрын

    I'm a Grandma of a 4 year old boy who has been diagnosed with Autism , is non- verbal and has mastered almost none of the 11 pre- requisite language skills. So pleased with your videos and you are a blessing.

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    That’s so nice, thank you for the comment & for watching! I’m so happy you know about the prelinguistic skills & where to start! That is the quickest way to success! I also recommend listening to a Laura Miss’s podcasts! She JUST did a brand new autism podcast series about how to work with language skills for our little friends with ASD. Hang in there! Check out the “Teach Me To Talk” podcast or KZread videos when you can!

  • @AMH-ox1wj
    @AMH-ox1wj Жыл бұрын

    Your videos are fantastic!! I especially appreciate the detailed summary provided. Thank you for your time, teaching me, and shining your light! Your positivity is contagious!!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    Жыл бұрын

    This is so nice! THank you!

  • @brittmai
    @brittmai3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for doing these wonderful videos! I'm a parent of a 2-year-old with suspected Apraxia. Your videos have been a lifeline for us during the Covid shutdown!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for watching!

  • @tinaupnorth
    @tinaupnorthАй бұрын

    ECIW Love your videos!

  • @elizabethlozada5052
    @elizabethlozada50523 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I’m a parent of a 21 months old boy who has speech delay. I’m teaching him two languages. Love your videos!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    You go girl! & Thank you for watching! 💕

  • @caitlin6324
    @caitlin63243 жыл бұрын

    Neat tricks! My 2 year olds are usually great at transitions EXCEPT cutting their hair, washing their hair etc. Perfect timing for this video, thanks! Speech update: one twin now says "eat" half the time, the other twin still says "eee", "ow" and both now say "up"--all with a lotttt of prompting, but it's progress!! We also just had our 2 year appt and we're referred to early intervention for evaluation, so wish us luck! Without you, we'd be even more behind! Doctor was very impressed we were using you and told us to keep following you lol! Thank you!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sooo happy to hear this! Yes!! Definitely a marathon and it sounds like you’re on the right track! Hang in there, you can do it!! 💕

  • @juliannebradner5197
    @juliannebradner51973 жыл бұрын

    Omg this video saved my life!! Haha thank you!!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching!!

  • @marshasobie643
    @marshasobie6433 жыл бұрын

    I agree with others...you provide solutions that are fun and less intimidating!!!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    💕 this is so nice! Thank you!

  • @lilsomers2007
    @lilsomers20073 жыл бұрын

    2.5 year old with a speech delay your videos are so helpful

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    So glad they help! Keep being a great parent!!

  • @SRoseBlog
    @SRoseBlog3 жыл бұрын

    Enjoy ur content. 5 year old son severely autistic non verbal

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Lots more videos coming soon to help you out then!

  • @hanshellortencio5510
    @hanshellortencio55103 жыл бұрын

    Hello Kelli, this is Hanshell currently working to in Dubai as LSA and ABA Therapist.Your video’s are interesting and beneficially to my clients. Thank you 😊

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Hanshell! Thanks so much for the nice comment & for watching! I love that you’re an ABA therapist, let me know what else might be beneficial for your clients! Thanks!

  • @hanshellortencio5510

    @hanshellortencio5510

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheSpeechScoop I have a non verbal client he just starting some sounds imitation.I’m doing some oral motor exercises but the challenging part for me is his tongue movement to be more flexible. Some strategies are already elicit but still he couldn’t yet do even tongue out, right or left movement. I look forward to hearing from you some techniques or ways how to improve the tongue flexibility of my client. Thank you so much for your help. 🙏🏻

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hanshellortencio5510 Hey there, have you checked for a anterior or posterior tongue tie by chance?

  • @hanshellortencio5510

    @hanshellortencio5510

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheSpeechScoop Actually no idea on that matter but I will check it out once my client came back from the holidays. Thanks so so much🙏🏻

  • @aubreylittle7333
    @aubreylittle73332 жыл бұрын

    Parent of a 3 month old baby, probably the younger side of your crowd haha! But I find your videos so interesting and I’m excited to help my little babbler make more sounds and words in the near future!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    You’ll know all of the tips & tricks up front!!

  • @jennasnyder992
    @jennasnyder9922 жыл бұрын

    Montessori toddler teacher, transitions are a large bit of what we work with!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes!

  • @hennashajdari6825
    @hennashajdari68253 жыл бұрын

    hi! my daughter is 4 yeara old. she is late with her speech but is geting better and better. but she does not have eye contact with other, and dont response to her name when someone says her name. we dont have any problem with eye contact, she is responding to her name, following directions. even in The kindergarden. but with strangers and family members she is not engaging och having eye contact. do you have tips on how to improve social skills with other People?

  • @marshasobie643
    @marshasobie6433 жыл бұрын

    Have you done anything on repetitive and restrictive behaviors?? Suggestions for diversions and replacements I guess.

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey there! Always try replacing with something else that’s appropriate - for example if a child is jumping on the couch, replace with jumping on a small indoor trampoline. Or on a crash pad, etc!

  • @sophiagrossman
    @sophiagrossman3 жыл бұрын

    As a parent, how can we help with socialization, at the park, or organized activity . Post covid of course

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    I would give direct verbal instruction & prompts if socialization isn’t coming naturally, as in say, “look at Johnny slide! Yay! Clap for Johnny! Give five Johnny! Now your turn to slide!! Yay! High five!” & so on & so on... Meaning if you are watching and thinking Man I really wish they would give my kid a turn or vice versa just say “OK now it’s Johnnys turn to throw the ball, yay! Good catch! Now throw the ball to your friend! Yay! Way to take turns!” Etc

  • @raisingbabydiaz
    @raisingbabydiaz2 жыл бұрын

    Do you think any of these would work for an almost 5 year old? It’s been 6 months and he still takes 30 minutes to get into speech. It is a struggle and we have tried everything and it’s not getting better. He ends up with only 5 mins of instructional time with his speech therapist because of this. Sos 😅

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Oh nooooo. Hmmm maybe change therapists? My kids love coming to speech because we’ve built rapport & trust & I follow their lead, making sure it’s always fun for them. I never try to force them to do what I want, always targeting my goals in what they want. I might find another therapist or ask her to just play for a few sessions because that shouldn’t be the case, I’m sorry about that!

  • @toyiadiane8574
    @toyiadiane85746 ай бұрын

    I'm a parent

  • @jenellejones5728
    @jenellejones57282 жыл бұрын

    Parent here. I tried the timer thing when leaving the park. Didn't work. She would not listen to me and kept playing, hence having to run after her and raise my voice...ugh!!!

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hmm maybe start building the routine with less preferred activities first! Like using it to get out of the bath, or eating, or watching tv & then build up to using it at the park! It may take a few trials / repetitions at each location for her to learn the concept since it’s brand new! :) hang in there!

  • @hdskl2150
    @hdskl21502 жыл бұрын

    I’m really struggling with my 2.5yo being upset during transitions. I don’t want to bribe him or nag him or use so much energy in getting him to move forward. It’s very frustrating to me because although it’s very short lived it happens 5x-10x a day and it’s so draining. Bribing them with special treats can become very detrimental. Why do toddlers have such a hard time transitioning?

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    To toddlers, time is irrelevant and also they don't NEED to be on any type of schedule or get anything done - EXCEPT for whatever is important to them. that's why it's tough to help them understand the need to do something. If you can provide a visual schedule AT ALL and give multiple updates, and use the visual timer for what their day is going to look like, this can reduce anxiety related to transitioning. Think about just getting started with your favorite show or workout that is 1 hour long and 10 minutes in someone pops in and says "time to go! We're leaving now!" you might be annoyed with that person because you thought you'd have time to complete your task. Sometimes toddlers can feel that way, and other times it can be that they need highly structured routines in order to feel safe and relaxed. This can be a sensory / OCD sign. You're doing great - I know it's tough!

  • @reenarawat18122

    @reenarawat18122

    4 ай бұрын

    @@TheSpeechScoophi my nursery told us that my 2 year old has this sensory disorder …. I m really stressed about it as don’t know much but how do my child grow out of it ? Or will he be having issues as he grows up ??

  • @reenarawat18122

    @reenarawat18122

    4 ай бұрын

    Is ur toddler any better now ?? How did you make a difference can you please share ?

  • @stephaniethompson5430
    @stephaniethompson54303 жыл бұрын

    I'm a daycare teacher

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ooo let me know if you have any video suggestions!

  • @YrisPegueroSaludIntegral
    @YrisPegueroSaludIntegral2 жыл бұрын

    IHT Clinician

  • @jismijoseph6770
    @jismijoseph67703 жыл бұрын

    SLP

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    3 жыл бұрын

    which population do you work with?! (age range)

  • @jismijoseph6770

    @jismijoseph6770

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheSpeechScoop 3-8 years old kids

  • @user-os4zi1po7c
    @user-os4zi1po7c Жыл бұрын

    recreation therapist

  • @confidentandfitmom2675
    @confidentandfitmom26752 жыл бұрын

    I really liked most of this video. However, I am a certified car seat technician and parents should NOT sit in their child's car seats. Car seats are only tested and approved to a specific weight and they could un-knowingly do damage to their child's seat.

  • @TheSpeechScoop

    @TheSpeechScoop

    2 жыл бұрын

    I actually never thought about that but that’s a great point! Maybe pretending to say or sitting in a chair that looks similar Would do the trick instead

  • @evelynsierra2004
    @evelynsierra20043 жыл бұрын

    Getting teenagers with Autism that ate speech delay to talk.

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