This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ATracker by Wonderapps for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Transitions can be the source of many toddler meltdowns. If you’re a parent of a toddler, you’ve been there. Often giving up a desired object or activity for a sometimes less desirable activity (i.e. Lunch- heaven forbid we make them eat!) can be quite challenging. Not that it necessarily gets easier as we get older, I don’t like to stop watching the Real Housewives of wherever to go to sleep some nights, but as adults we are able to cope. To help kids cope with these transitions, I have 5 simple tips for you, and with the help of ATracker (App store), some of these should be a breeze!
1. Use a timer. It’s very hard for young children to understand exactly what you mean when you tell them that they have 5 min left to play outside before going in and getting a snack. Using ATracker, you can schedule a task, set a time limit, and an alarm will sound when the allotted amount of time is up. The sound of an alarm is a tangible cue that can really ease the transition for the child.
2. Before, during, after. Remember this language when gearing a child up for a transition and when reinforcing a positive one. For example, when leaving the park you want to say “We are going to leave the park and then get in the car to go home (before), I like how nicely you listened when I said it was time to go and now you are walking to the car like a big girl/boy (during), we had a good time at the park, now we are driving home and we will have some lunch (after).”
3. Use simple, concrete language. Kids like to know exactly what you expect of them. Using the park example again, rather than saying “we will go soon”, ask them to choose two more things to do. If they choose the slide and the swings, let them know that after one more time on the swings and one more slide, it will be time to leave.
4. Stick to a routine. Having a general routine to the day will help your child understand what is coming next. It can be a general routine to allow for errands, Drs appointments, etc. But, if your child knows that after dinner they take a bath, the transition will be much smoother. ATracker provides a calendar that you can use for yourself but that can also help with a routine for your child. By scheduling your day and using the icons to denote what you will be doing, toddlers can look at the schedule and get a sense of what will be happening without having to read. It almost creates a picture schedule for the day, and is easy for parents to manage. 
5. Encourage choice making. By giving your toddler some sense of control over what is happening, they are much more inclined to abide. Try to find choices even when there doesn’t seem to be an obvious one. If it is lunch time and you already know what your child will be eating, offer them a choice of which utensil or color of plate they would like to use.
I hope all of these tips will help your with transitions in your household! ATracker also provides you with some data and feedback about how much time you are spending on certain activities. A great tool for parents!
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We’re re-establishing a routine right now and I love the idea of a timer sounding around our routine. My daughter’s preschool is in the afternoon which makes the natural flow of the day a little tricky. I also love the before, after, and during breakdown!
We use timers a Lot in our house, but I am always running to the microwave to set it. This is a much more realistic way to tackle toddler transition! When they have expectations for their routine life just gets easier!
This looks like a really cool app to keep organized! I’m definitely going to check it out!
We are big fans of timers too. Our four kids are now 5 years old and we still use them all the time. Thanks for sharing the great tips!
Thanks for reading! I joke that I’ll still be using them with my son when he’s 10!
Oh this app sounds awesome! I think I want to help my son take more ownership of our schedule. I know what time we do things, but I think it’s important for him to be aware too. Thanks for sharing
Ooooo a timer is such a good idea! I don’t know why I never thought of that! Genius 🙂