5.1 Describe key transitions that all children experience

This guide will help you answer 5.1 Describe key transitions that all children experience.

Transitions are changes in a child’s life that may have an emotional, social, or physical impact. All children experience transitions as part of their growth and development. Some are predictable and universal, while others are unique to individual circumstances. Understanding these key transitions helps workers support children effectively.

This guide covers the main transitions most children go through, from birth through to adolescence, and explains how these changes can affect them.

Birth and Early Care Changes

The very first transition is birth itself. Moving from the safety of the womb into the outside world is a major change in environment. Although babies cannot express their feelings in words, they quickly adapt to new surroundings, sounds, temperature, and light.

The early months often involve other transitions connected to care arrangements. These may include:

• Moving from hospital to home
• Changing carers if parents return to work
• Starting with a childminder, nursery, or other early childcare setting

Babies respond to changes in familiarity, routine, and the presence of trusted adults. Consistency of care helps them feel safe and secure.

Starting Nursery or Other Early Education Settings

Many children experience the transition to formal childcare or education in their early years. This may be nursery, preschool, or school reception class.

This transition brings new routines, rules, and social groups. Children have to learn:

• How to interact in larger groups
• How to follow structured activities and routines
• How to be away from home for longer periods

Workers can support children by introducing them gradually to the new setting, allowing familiar objects like comfort toys, and encouraging positive relationships with key workers.

Moving to Primary School

The change from nursery or preschool to primary school is another key transition. The setting is often bigger, routines more formal, and expectations higher.

Key changes for children include:

• Larger class sizes and more structured learning
• Longer school days
• New teachers and support staff
• Different expectations for social behaviour and learning outcomes

This transition can bring excitement and anxiety. Support from parents, carers, and playworkers helps children build confidence and adjust to new expectations.

Year Group Progression

Within primary school, children progress through year groups. While this is a regular process, it can still be a transition that needs support.

Each year often means:

• A new classroom and teacher
• Different teaching styles
• New classmates if classes are mixed

Some children adapt easily. Others find change unsettling and need reassurance, time to adjust, and familiar routines to help them settle.

Moving to Secondary School

Transfer from primary to secondary school is one of the most significant transitions in a child’s life. The changes are wide-ranging:

• A much larger environment with hundreds of pupils
• Multiple teachers for different subjects
• More personal responsibility for learning and organisation
• Longer travel times to and from school
• Navigating larger social groups and more complex friendships

This stage often coincides with early adolescence, which brings physical and emotional changes. Peer influence grows stronger during this phase. Support from trusted adults is important for emotional wellbeing, confidence, and resilience.

Friendship Changes

Friendships can change at any stage. Children may experience:

• Making new friends
• Losing friendships
• Moving away from familiar peers after a family move
• Shifts in friendship groups due to changing interests

Friendship changes can feel positive or negative. Some children adapt quickly and enjoy meeting new people. Others may feel isolated or sad when friendships change. Playworkers can encourage inclusive play and help children form new connections.

Family Changes

Family life is not static, and children often experience transitions linked to their home situation. Common examples include:

• Parental separation or divorce
• Remarriage or new partners joining the family
• Siblings being born or leaving home
• Moving in with extended family
• Change in income or housing situation

These changes can affect a child’s sense of security. Responding with empathy, listening, and keeping consistent routines can reduce stress for the child.

Moving Home

Changing where a child lives can be a big transition. It may involve moving a short distance or relocating to a new town or even country.

It can mean:

• Leaving behind familiar surroundings
• Attending a new school
• Making new friends and connections
• Adjusting to a different cultural or community environment

The impact depends on the reasons for the move and the child’s personality. Some may feel excitement, while others may experience sadness or anxiety.

Changes in Health

Health-related transitions can occur when:

• A child experiences illness or injury
• A child manages a long-term medical condition
• Hospital stays or treatments disrupt regular routines

Such changes may impact school attendance, physical ability, or participation in play. Emotional support and ensuring inclusion in activities help children adapt.

Loss and Bereavement

Loss of a loved one, pet, or trusted adult is a profound transition. Children process grief in different ways depending on age, personality, and support available.

Loss may trigger:

• Feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion
• Changes in behaviour or routine
• A need for extra comfort and reassurance

Play can help children express feelings they cannot easily put into words.

Developing Independence

As children grow, they move towards greater independence. This can include:

• Walking to school alone
• Taking responsibility for homework and chores
• Managing their own money or possessions
• Spending time unaccompanied with friends

These milestones mark important shifts in responsibility and self-reliance. Supportive guidance helps children handle the challenges of independence safely and positively.

Puberty

Puberty brings physical, emotional, and social changes. It marks the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Changes may include:

• Growth spurts
• Development of secondary sexual characteristics
• Mood changes linked to hormone levels
• Increased self-awareness and interest in identity

Support involves providing accurate information, reassurance, and a safe space for discussion.

Cultural or Religious Changes

Some children experience transitions connected to cultural or religious practices. This may include:

• Participating in new rituals or ceremonies
• Observing fasting periods
• Learning new languages or religious teachings

These changes can influence a child’s daily routine, diet, dress, and social interactions.

Leaving a Playwork Setting

Children may move on from clubs, activity groups, or playwork settings as they grow older, relocate, or change interests.

This transition can be emotional if the setting holds special memories. Preparing children in advance and celebrating their time there helps make the change positive.

Strategies to Support Children Through Transitions

Playworkers and early years staff can help children manage transitions by:

• Talking about upcoming changes in simple, honest language
• Using play to explore feelings and practice coping skills
• Maintaining routines to provide a sense of stability
• Encouraging questions and discussion
• Working closely with parents, carers, and teachers

Observation is important. Noticing changes in behaviour can show when extra support is needed.

The Role of Play in Transitional Support

Play is a natural way for children to process change. Through play they may act out situations, express emotions, and rehearse coping strategies.

Different types of play can help at different times:

• Role play to explore new situations
• Creative play to express feelings
• Physical play to release energy and reduce stress

Encouraging open-ended play allows children to set their own pace and approach transitions in a way that feels safe.

Emotional Impact of Transitions

Transitions can create feelings of excitement, curiosity, fear, sadness, frustration, or relief. These feelings may occur at the same time.

Understanding the emotional impact helps adults respond with empathy, patience, and encouragement. Recognising signs of emotional stress such as withdrawal, aggression, or regression in behaviour means support can be given early.

Communication with Families

Keeping open communication with parents or carers is important when supporting a child through transitions. Families can give insight into the child’s background, worries, or strengths.

Regular updates about how the child is managing in a play setting ensure everyone works together to provide stability.

Building Resilience

Supporting children through transitions can help build resilience. Resilience means being able to adapt and recover from changes or challenges. Providing safe spaces, emotional support, and consistent relationships makes it more likely that children will grow stronger and more confident over time.

Final Thoughts

Transitions are a normal part of life for all children. From early care changes to moving schools, from friendship shifts to changes in health, each transition brings an opportunity for growth as well as potential challenges.

By recognising the key transitions all children experience and providing steady, understanding support, playworkers and early years staff can help children feel secure and positive in the face of change. The more we prepare and listen, the more we can make each transition a manageable and often rewarding stage in a child’s life.