Three Different Types of Transition, and How They Can Affect a Child or Young Person's Development.
Transitions in life are a fundamental part of development in children and young people. From an early age a child will experience some form of transition, and how well they deal with these changes as they are growing up will be depend on their stage of development, their confidence and the support and positive relationships they may have.
The affects of transitions vary from child to child, so it is important to consider them on an individual basis. That said, it is possible to gain an idea of how a child's social development may be influenced by a range of changes and the type of transition must firstly be considered.
Emotional - for example bereavement, the divorce or separation of parents
Many children will have experienced warm, consistent, predictable care and will see adults as reliable, supportive and caring. But when there is a major change within the family unit such as parents separating or divorcing, it can have such an impact on the parents that the children's emotions may be forgotten. This can have a traumatic affect on them and it's likely that a child's emotional development will be affected. They may start to misbehave at home and/or at school to seek attention or become shy and withdrawn and lose confidence. It may cause a long-term problem as some children may find it difficult to form trusting relationships with adults.
Physical - for example moving to a new home or class room
From something as simple as moving on to a new activity within the classroom to moving to a new home, a child or young person may find physical transition traumatic and unsettling and may affect their development. If for example a child is progressing with age to a new school or moving to the next year group within the same school, the transition may have positive effects as they won't be making the changes alone, they will be with their friends. They will be able to see their old friends in the new environment and the transition will seem a lot less daunting and
The affects of transitions vary from child to child, so it is important to consider them on an individual basis. That said, it is possible to gain an idea of how a child's social development may be influenced by a range of changes and the type of transition must firstly be considered.
Emotional - for example bereavement, the divorce or separation of parents
Many children will have experienced warm, consistent, predictable care and will see adults as reliable, supportive and caring. But when there is a major change within the family unit such as parents separating or divorcing, it can have such an impact on the parents that the children's emotions may be forgotten. This can have a traumatic affect on them and it's likely that a child's emotional development will be affected. They may start to misbehave at home and/or at school to seek attention or become shy and withdrawn and lose confidence. It may cause a long-term problem as some children may find it difficult to form trusting relationships with adults.
Physical - for example moving to a new home or class room
From something as simple as moving on to a new activity within the classroom to moving to a new home, a child or young person may find physical transition traumatic and unsettling and may affect their development. If for example a child is progressing with age to a new school or moving to the next year group within the same school, the transition may have positive effects as they won't be making the changes alone, they will be with their friends. They will be able to see their old friends in the new environment and the transition will seem a lot less daunting and