Change and Transition 
Change and transitions are a natural part of a young person's daily life – they move from one activity to the next, from one room to another and from one person to a new person. During this process they can find that moving from a safe adult to one who is less familiar or from a room that they perceive as safe, to a place that doesn’t feel the same way, impacts on their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Below are some simple and activities that will support transitions and help young people to manage their feelings around this.

Teaching young people about change and the ruptures that can occur when we move between places and people, and the feelings that can arise around this, will help young people to name and tame these emotions – young people need repeated experiences of talking about and learning about transitions and ruptures before they can do manage these themselves.

Transitional objects

1 – Making and exchanging objects that provide us with a visual reminder of the person or event that we were connected to and are now leaving can help us to maintain the feeling of connection and therefore manage our feelings around the change.

2 – By making something together and talking about the event, space or person, young people can relax, feel safe to express how they feel and become more aware of the emotions around change.

Arts based activities

Like drawing and colouring, using clay or playdough or cooking together can all help young people to express how they are feeling and reflect on difficult times.

Making memory items

Memory boxes or scrap books, writing thoughts and feelings in a journal, making frames for photographs, or writing a letter, can support the sense of loss that young people experience from some of the more significant transitions they experience, such as moving school, losing a friend, separation, relationship breakdown or taking exams.

Storytelling

Storytelling and making is another effective way of opening up discussion around the change and loss that comes with transitions.

Conversations

Acknowledging and talking about change, loss and transitions is important as young people need to feel prepared and accepted for how they are feeling at these times. Regular check ins can support this.

Taking a few minutes out of our busy days to work together, build resilient relationships and support our children with any challenges can change a child’s outlook. I hope you find the above suggestions helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me via the support hub email if you require any more support.

Mrs Franklin