Child Development Transitions AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim

Child Development: Transitions

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this presentation is to deliver wide ranging underpinning knowledge around the effects of transitions in early childhood. The objective is to enhance learning and subject knowledge to allow formal assessment. Wherever possible links to Equality and Diversity will be embedded.

Transitions Children and young people naturally go through a number of transitions as they grow up, for example: Ø Being weaned onto solid food Ø Progressing from crawling to walking Ø Being potty trained Ø Going from nursery to primary school Ø Moving from primary to secondary school Ø Transferring from secondary school to college/sixth form Ø Starting work Ø Leaving home. Can you think of any more?

Unexpected transitions Not all transitions are experienced by every child/young person What are they? Some unexpected transitions: • Parents divorcing, having a new step-parent, having a new stepfamily • Serious accident, illness or death in the family • Violence or abuse within the family • Moving house • The unexpected change of school or childcare provider • The birth of a new baby in the family

Effects of transitions Ø Children and young people need to be supported through transitions. Ø Children and young people who have had many moves or changes may feel a sense of loss or grief. Ø Some changes may have a profound effect on their emotional and social development. DISCUSSION How can children/young people be supported : a. When starting college/school/nursery? b. If their parents divorce/separate? c. When a new baby arrives? What effects might these transitions have?

Summary & Re-cap Now we have discussed these two assessment criteria, you will need to prepare for a professional discussion which will allow you to undertake formal assessment: 3. 1 Describe the different transitions children and young people may experience. 3. 2 Explain how to give adult support for each of these transitions

Activity Ø Reflect on the expected transitions that you have gone through in your life so far. Ø Think about the effects these transitions had on you. Ø What support did you get from others? Ø What more could have been done to help you cope? Ø As a practitioner, how could you support children and young people when they face similar transitions? Ø Record the main points of these in preparation for the professional discussion you will need to hold with your TLC Ø (Assessment criteria 3. 1 & 3. 2).