Does your child struggle with transitions?

Transitions can be a huge trigger for kids.

Have you tried the timer trick with your child?

Using a timer can help with transitions, screen time, cleanup time, and more! I’ve had lots of experience using this strategy in the classroom and it can work wonders even with your most challenging children.

Kids have a hard time with the concept of time. They don't understand how much time "5 more minutes" is. Using a visual timer can help your child physically see and understand time. This can help so much with easing your child from one activity to the next.

*Hint: try searching for visual timers for kids on youtube, they are amazing!

Timers are magical tools to help manage behavior.

• "5 more minutes to play before cleanup time." Show your child with a visual timer and see the meltdowns disappear!

• "10 minutes of iPad time." Show a visual timer to countdown the final 3-5 minutes so they can visually see how much time is left.

• "Do you think you can cleanup this mess in 5 minutes? Let's set a timer and see if you can beat it!"

• "I need 15 more minutes to work on my computer, then we can play together." Set a timer so your child can understand how much time they have to wait.

Involve them in the process.

• Let them choose the timer. Youtube has great visual timers(rainbows, puppies, mystery pictures that reveal themselves after the time is up, etc!)

• Let them press the start button.

• Use a timer on the iPad/phone/computer and let them choose the alert sound and press start.