1.8: Incorporating SSAMM into Transition Activities

Introduction

In early childhood education, the integration of SSAMM (Social, Emotional, and Academic Mindfulness and Management) into daily routines is crucial for holistic development. While structured activities play a significant role, the true essence of learning in these formative years extends beyond the confines of planned lessons. It encompasses the myriad of interactions and experiences that occur throughout the day.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Transition to lining up.

The Importance of Transitions in the Early Childhood Classroom

Transitions—those moments when children move from one activity or routine to another—are powerful opportunities for fostering smooth classroom management, social-emotional growth, and ongoing learning. In infant, toddler, and preschool settings, these short “in-between” times can often be overlooked or treated as simple breaks. However, when carefully planned, transitions play a vital role in supporting young children’s development, ensuring the daily routine runs smoothly, and reinforcing curriculum goals in engaging ways.

Ensuring a Smooth Daily Routine 

Predictability and Security: Young children, especially infants and toddlers, thrive when their day follows a predictable pattern. Transition cues—like a short song or a visual signal—help them feel secure because they can anticipate what’s coming next.

Reduced Stress and Challenging Behaviors: Abrupt changes often lead to frustration or behavioral issues. Well-planned transition activities create a gentle bridge between one part of the day and the next, minimizing confusion and chaos.

Maximizing Instructional Time: By intentionally planning transitions, teachers spend less time on managing behaviors or waiting for children to settle, and more time on rich, meaningful learning experiences.

Importance of Planning for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Social and Emotional Development: Transition activities often involve group participation, like clean-up songs or fingerplays. These shared rituals foster cooperation, turn-taking, and a sense of belonging.

Building Independence and Self-Help Skills: For toddlers and preschoolers, transitions can serve as practice for age-appropriate tasks (e.g., washing hands, putting away toys). Structured routines help children gain confidence in their abilities.

Opportunities for Learning in “In-Between” Moments: Even short transitions can incorporate language building, counting, or basic science concepts. This makes every moment an opportunity for skill reinforcement rather than lost time.

Linking Transitions to the Curriculum

Reinforcing Key Concepts: When transition activities tie to your current theme or lesson (such as singing number songs during math units), they become natural extensions of learning rather than unrelated “fillers.”

Continuous and Connected Learning: Relating transitions to what children are learning elsewhere in the day shows them that learning isn’t confined to a single block of time. This consistency deepens understanding and builds stronger connections.

Sustaining Engagement: Curriculum-aligned transitions—like acting out animal movements during a unit on wildlife—keep children’s enthusiasm high. It reminds them of the thematic focus and makes learning feel seamless and fun.

Holistic Development: Linking transitions to curriculum goals allows teachers to address multiple developmental domains—cognitive, social-emotional, and motor skills—all within brief, playful routines.

Putting It All Together

By strategically planning and implementing curriculum-related transition activities, educators can achieve several key objectives:

1. Establish Predictable Routines: Creating consistent routines helps to provide a sense of security and reduce stress for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Predictable transitions can mitigate anxiety and foster a stable learning environment.

2. Promote Social-Emotional Development: Engaging children in enjoyable group rituals and cooperative tasks during transitions can enhance their social-emotional growth. These activities encourage teamwork, empathy, and a sense of community among young learners.

3. Encourage Autonomy: Structured transition steps empower children to follow routines independently, thereby boosting their self-esteem and developing essential self-help skills. This fosters a sense of competence and confidence in their abilities.

4. Optimize Learning Opportunities: Integrating curriculum goals into transition periods transforms these "in-between" times into valuable teaching moments. This approach maximizes instructional time and reinforces learning objectives throughout the day.

In summary, transitions are not merely intervals between activities; they represent opportunities to reinforce educational content, support developmental milestones, and cultivate a harmonious classroom atmosphere.

Transition Activities for Various Age Groups

It is important to create different transition activities for different ages because children’s developmental needs, attention spans, and abilities vary significantly from infancy through preschool. By tailoring transitions to each age group, teachers can ensure that these in-between moments are engaging, manageable, and supportive of children’s growth. Here are some key factors:

Developmental Milestones and Abilities

• Infants: Infants are in a sensory exploration stage, requiring gentle, calming transitions like soft songs or simple visual cues.
• Toddlers: Toddlers need more physical movement, short and playful instructions, and simple language prompts to maintain interest and practice emerging skills (e.g., walking to the next area or tidying up).
• Preschoolers: Preschoolers can handle more complex, interactive activities, such as counting games, short stories, or structured tasks, that enhance both social and cognitive skills.

Attention Span

• Younger Children: Younger children have shorter attention spans, so transitions need to be quick and designed to hold their focus without overwhelming them.
• Older Preschoolers: Older preschoolers can engage in slightly longer transition activities (like a short group game) because they can sustain attention and follow multi-step directions.

Language and Communication Skills

• Infants: Infants respond best to soothing tones, body language, and repetitive words.
• Toddlers: Toddlers benefit from simple sentences, visuals, and songs with easy lyrics.
• Preschoolers: Preschoolers can handle more detailed instructions and respond to questions or chants that reinforce vocabulary, helping them build language skills.

Physical Coordination and Motor Skills

• Infants and Younger Toddlers: Infants and younger toddlers often need slow, gentle physical transitions, such as being carried or guided by hand.
• Preschoolers: Preschoolers have better motor control, so they can engage in transition activities that include hopping, skipping, or carrying objects from one area to another.

Interests and Engagement

• Preschoolers: Activities that thrill a preschooler (like a follow-the-leader game) may be too difficult or overstimulating for an infant or younger toddler.
• Infants and Toddlers: Designing transitions that capture children’s unique interests and match their developmental stage keeps them engaged, reducing resistance or frustration.

Social-Emotional Readiness

• Infants and Toddlers: Infants and toddlers rely heavily on nurturing adult support for security during transitions.
• Preschoolers: Preschoolers can manage short waits, group cooperation, and even leadership roles (like leading a line to the playground) during transitions.

By customizing transitions for each age group, teachers create moments that are just the right balance of comforting, instructive, and fun, supporting children’s overall well-being and development at every stage. In the following section, we will provide specific examples of how to integrate social studies, art, music, and movement into transition activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Transitions for Infants 

Transition activities help infants move smoothly between routines (e.g., from playtime to feeding, diapering to naptime) and support their sense of security and predictability. The following are examples of classroom transition activities that are developmentally appropriate for infants:

🔄 Gentle and Predictable Cues

• Singing familiar songs: Use consistent songs for transitions, like a soft lullaby before nap or a playful tune before tummy time.
• Verbal cues: Even though infants may not understand all the words, hearing phrases like “Time to eat now!” or “Let’s get ready to sleep” builds language and routine recognition.

🧸 Object-Based Transitions

• Transitional objects: A soft toy or blanket that travels with the infant from play to nap or from home to daycare can provide comfort.
• Visual cues: Use the same picture or colorful object to represent certain routines (e.g., a sun for outside time, a spoon for feeding time).

🤲 Physical and Sensory Interaction

• Gentle touch and movement: Rocking, swinging, or gentle bouncing can ease infants from one activity to another.
• Massage or hand rubs: Short infant massages or rubbing lotion on hands/feet can be a calming transition, especially before nap.

🎵 Music and Sound Cues

• Soundscapes: Wind chimes or soft instrumental music can signal a change (e.g., music starts to indicate cleanup, or nap is coming).
• Soft rhythmic drumming: Tap gently on a drum or use clapping rhythms to transition to group activities.

📚 Interactive Story or Puppet

• Mini puppet greeting: A puppet can "tell" infants it’s time for a new activity, especially fun for diaper or feeding time.
• Board books or song books: A short story or picture book during the transition helps focus their attention and eases change.

🚼 Movement and Carrying Games

• Lap games or gentle swinging: Songs like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” while being carried or rocked.
• "Flying baby" lifts: Some infants enjoy gentle “ups and downs” as a fun way to shift focus or move spaces.

The chart below shows infant classroom transitions with gentle, developmentally appropriate activities that support each part of the day. This schedule includes suggestions for transition cues and can easily be adapted to your classroom's needs.

🍼 Infant Transition Activity Schedule

Infant Transition Activity Schedule

Daily Routine	Transition Cue or Activity	Purpose
Arrival → Free Play	Greet each infant with soft music and a gentle verbal welcome	Helps infants feel secure and recognize caregivers
Free Play → Diapering	Use a hand puppet to “announce” diaper time, sing a short song	Makes transition fun and builds anticipation
Diapering → Feeding	Hold the infant close and quietly talk about the next step ("Time to eat!")	Encourages calm and connection
Feeding → Story Time	Show a soft book or a puppet while cleaning up	Signals a shift and keeps infants engaged
Story Time → Nap Time	Dim lights, play lullabies, use consistent phrases ("Nap time now")	Creates predictability and soothes the infant
Nap → Diapering	Wake with a soft voice and a gentle back rub	Prevents startle and supports regulation
Diapering → Outside Time	Use a musical toy or sing an outdoor song while preparing	Builds excitement for outdoor time
Outside Time → Snack	Show picture of snack, sing a "time to eat" song	Helps with routine understanding
Snack → Goodbye Time	Use the same goodbye song and gentle waving	Builds security and closure

Transitions for Toddlers

Transition activities for toddlers (ages 1–3) help them move smoothly between routines and support their developing sense of independence, language, and emotional regulation. At this stage, toddlers benefit from repetition, consistency, visual cues, and active involvement in the transition process. To support smooth and meaningful transitions, consider the following age-appropriate strategies for toddlers.

⏰ Arrival to Free Play

• Hello Song with Name Recognition: Sing a greeting song using each child’s name (e.g., “Good morning, Mason!”).
• Picture Schedule Check-In: Allow toddlers to move their name/photo from “home” to “school” on a visual board.

🧸 Free Play to Clean-Up

• Clean-Up Song: Use consistent songs like “Clean-Up, Clean-Up, Everybody Everywhere…”
• Visual Timer: Show a sand timer or countdown to give toddlers a visual understanding of time.
• Job Cards: Assign simple cleanup jobs (e.g., “You’re the puzzle helper!”).

📚 Clean-Up to Group Time

• Marching or Animal Walks: Transition to circle time using silly movements like tiptoeing or hopping.
• Musical Cue: Play a recognizable instrumental sound to signal a change.
• Story Basket: Carry a basket with props or books to draw toddlers in as they arrive at group time.

🧼 Diapering/Potty to Snack

• Sing While You Wait: Short songs while waiting for turns.
• Hand-Washing Routine Song: A simple hand-washing song or rhyme that’s repeated daily.
• Mirror Time: Toddlers enjoy seeing themselves; place a mirror near the sink to keep them engaged.

🍎 Snack to Outdoor Time

• Weather Song or Weather Chart: Talk about the weather and dress accordingly.
• Hat & Shoe Song: Create a tune for getting dressed: “One shoe, two shoes, where’s your hat?”
• Countdown with Fingerplay: “5 Little Monkeys” or similar songs can ease the transition.

🏃 Outdoor to Lunch/Nap

• Deep Breathing Game: “Smell the flower… blow out the candle” to help regulate after play.
• Calm Down Basket: Soft toys, squishy balls, or small books to soothe before quiet time.
• Soft Music & Dim Lights: Gradually adjust the environment to signal that nap time is approaching.

👋 End of Day (Goodbye Time)

• Goodbye Song: A consistent, friendly goodbye song (“It’s time to say goodbye…”).
• Sharing Basket: Let toddlers pick something to show their family (drawing, toy, etc.).
• Wave from the Door or Window: A physical gesture helps provide closure to the day.

The Toddler Transition Activity Schedule below includes the daily routine, a transition cue or activity, and the purpose—all developmentally appropriate for toddlers.

🧒 Toddler Transition Activity Schedule

Toddler Transition Activity Schedule

Daily Routine	Transition Cue or Activity	Purpose
Arrival → Free Play	Hello song with names; picture schedule check-in	Builds routine recognition, supports emotional security
Free Play → Clean-Up	Clean-up song; use of visual timer; assign “helper” jobs	Encourages participation, makes transition predictable
Clean-Up → Group Time	Marching like animals; musical cue; story basket to gather children	Makes transition fun and invites group engagement
Diapering/Potty → Snack	Hand-washing song; sing while waiting; mirror at sink	Promotes hygiene, supports patience, and independence
Snack → Outdoor Time	Talk about weather; hat/shoe dressing song; countdown fingerplay	Builds self-help skills and smooth change in activity
Outdoor Time → Nap	Deep breathing game (“Smell the flower…”); soft music; calm-down basket	Helps regulate energy and calm before nap
Nap → Snack or Play	Gentle wake-up with soft voice; simple stretch or greeting song	Supports smooth re-entry into activity
End of Day (Goodbye Time)	Goodbye song; share something with family; wave goodbye at the door/window	Helps with closure, supports social-emotional connection

Transitions for Preschoolers

These Classroom Transition Activities for Preschoolers are tailored to meet the social-emotional, cognitive, and language needs of preschool-aged children (3–5 years).   These transitions support self-regulation, independence, and classroom community.  The next section presents classroom transition activities that align with the developmental characteristics of preschoolers.

🚪 Arrival at Free Play

• Name Recognition Sign-In: Children find and place their name card or write their name on a dry-erase board as they arrive.
• Morning Greeting Song: Use a consistent song that includes each child’s name to create connection and predictability.
• Picture Schedule Check-In: Children move their photo/name to the classroom schedule board to see what comes next.

🧹 Free Play to Clean-Up

• Clean-Up Song: Use upbeat songs like “Clean-up, clean-up, everybody everywhere…” to signal the end of play.
• 5-Minute Warning: Give verbal or visual cues (“5 more minutes of playtime!”) to prepare children.
• Helper Jobs: Assign roles like “Toy Tidy Captain” or “Bookshelf Boss” to make clean-up feel like a team effort.

🧍‍♂️ Clean-Up to Circle Time

• Movement Transition: Invite children to march, hop, tiptoe, or follow an animal movement to the rug.
• Line-Up Chant: Use a fun chant: “Hands in the air, touch your nose, it’s time to go where the group goes!”
• Visual Schedule Cards: Show a circle time picture card to help children visually anticipate what’s next.

🎨 Circle Time to Learning Centers

• Name Sticks or Center Choice Cards: Children pick their name stick or a card to select their first center.
• Songs or Rhymes: Use transition rhymes like “Let’s all go to our next place, with a smile on our face!”
• Color or Shape Matching: Match the color or shape on the floor to the same one at the learning center.

🍎 Centers to Snack

• Hand-Washing Song: Sing a short song while children wash their hands (“Top and bottom, in between…”).
• Snack Helper Job: Assign a helper to pass out napkins, cups, or help call names to the table.
• Transition Tally Game: Count how many children have washed their hands to engage math thinking.

🌤 Snack to Outside Time

• Weather Helper Routine: The weather helper looks outside and reports if it’s sunny, cloudy, etc.
• Getting Ready Song: Sing a “shoes and jackets” song to help children get dressed independently.
• Ready, Set, Go Countdown: Count down from 10 as children line up or get ready for the door.

🧘 Outside Time to Nap or Quiet Time

• Breathing Games: Use strategies like “Smell the flower…blow out the candle” to help children calm down.
• Story Time Wind Down: Read a short, calming book after coming inside to settle bodies.
• Stretch and Freeze Game: A light movement activity that ends with a freeze cue to transition into quiet.

😴 Nap to Afternoon Activities

• Gentle Wake-Up: Play soft music or greet each child with a whisper and light touch on the shoulder.
• Stretch or Yoga Pose: Guide them through “wake-up stretches” like reaching for the sky or butterfly wings.
• Transition Object or Toy: Let them pick a quiet toy or book as they wake and re-enter the activity

👋 End of Day (Goodbye Time)

• Goodbye Song: Sing a song like “See you later, alligator!” during departure.
• Reflection Time: Ask children to share one thing they enjoyed about the day.
• Home Connection Bag or Note: Send something home (drawing, class note) to share with family.

The chart below shows developmentally appropriate Classroom Transition Activities for Preschoolers (ages 3–5), designed to help children move smoothly between routines while fostering independence, emotional regulation, and engagement.

🎨 Transition Activities for Preschoolers

Preschool Transition Activities

Daily Routine	Transition Cue or Activity	Purpose
Arrival → Free Play	Sign in with name cards or dry-erase boards; morning greeting song	Promotes name recognition, builds a sense of routine
Free Play → Clean-Up	Countdown timer; clean-up song; and assign classroom helper jobs	Supports time awareness, responsibility, and teamwork
Clean-Up → Circle Time	Movement game to the rug (tiptoe, march, hop); transition song	Keeps children engaged and active while changing spaces
Circle Time → Centers	Choice cards or name sticks to pick centers; chant or rhyme as they go	Promotes decision-making, builds routine expectations
Centers → Snack	Hand-washing song; line-up with name recognition or classroom job system	Encourages hygiene and reinforces literacy skills
Snack → Outside Time	Weather check routine; dressing song; “Ready, Set, Go!” countdown	Builds self-help and prepares for physical play
Outside → Group Time or Nap	Breathing exercise; stretch-and-freeze game; quiet story read aloud	Helps regulate energy and prepares for calm time
Nap → Afternoon Activity	Gentle wake-up with music or whisper; soft transition game (e.g., yoga)	Supports self-regulation and smooth re-entry into the day
End of Day (Goodbye)	Goodbye song; recall of day’s highlights; sticker chart, or home note	Provides closure and connection to family/home

Conclusion

In conclusion, transitions in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms are vital opportunities to foster children’s social-emotional growth, independence, and engagement. By weaving Social Studies, Art, Music, and Movement (SSAMM) into these in-between moments, teachers can reinforce curriculum goals, strengthen classroom community, and build on children’s natural curiosity.

Whether it’s using

• a gentle song to signal nap time,
• a fun puppet to ease diapering routines,
• or an animal walk to gather children for group time,

the common thread is intentionality—each transition is planned with developmental needs and learning objectives in mind. Through consistent cues, simple routines, and engaging activities, teachers not only reduce stress and confusion but also turn every part of the day into a rich learning experience. Ultimately, thoughtfully designed transitions ensure the daily schedule flows smoothly, allowing children to feel secure, capable, and excited about what comes next.

References

• ChatGPT. (2025, March 22). The importance of transitions in the early childhood classroom. OpenAI. .
• ChatGPT. (2025, March 22). Why do we create different transition activities for different ages of children? OpenAI.
• OpenAI. (2025). Developmentally appropriate classroom transition activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers [Generative AI response]. OpenAI.