Different types of transitions that can affect children and
young people's development.
Emotional
For Example- Parent's
separating, death of a pet,
Bullying, Abuse, Best friends
moving away or it could be a
change in the family
structure.
From 5 years+
Bullying - Disrupts a
child or young
person's education
and also their
sense of
confidence.
Any Age - Abuse -
Happens within a
family or
carried out by
someone trusted
by the child or
young person.
Any Age- Death- Death of a
close relative, parent or sibling.
Change to the family structure
as well as creating an
emotional loss.
Any Age- Change in the
family structure- Some
parents separate,
children have to adapt
to being in a single
parent family. Children
may be moved into
foster care, while other
children who are in
foster care may be
adopted. Parents
separate and meet a
new partner and a new
baby may disrupt home-life.
Physical
For example- Moving house, moving
country, moving to a new school or it
could be moving from one class to
another.
0-3 Years Joining a nursery or
school- Many children's first
experience of being in a group
care is when they start in nursery
or school.
4-11 Years Moving
from one class to
another- Most
children will change
teachers as they
change class.
11 Years Starting secondary school- When
transferring to secondary school it is much
larger than a primary school. You are taught
by a range of teachers.
Physiological
For
example-Puberty
Aged 11+
Adapting to
changes in
size and
shape of
their body.
Long term medical condition, significant
illness or disability
Intellectual
For example- Moving up a level
(School to college or Level 2 to
level 3), Also it could be
children moving from the
foundation phase to key stage
2.
Aged 16+ Making new
friendships and
adapting new
expectations
There are two types of transitions 1)
Predictable - These are transitions like
Puberty, Moving up a class in school etc. or
2) Unpredictable -These are transitions which
we can't prepare for, for example a Family
member or close relative's death.
Transitions that only some children
and young people may experience
e.g. Bereavement.
Moving home, area or
country, leaving for
University
Here are the transitions experienced by most children and
young people:
Most transitions affect children and
young people's behaviour and
development. These effects can be
short term however some can be long
term.
Short Term
effects
For example Crying and tearfulness, Withdrawal, Tantrums in
younger children, No appetite, Lack of concentration, Difficulty
sleeping, bedwetting, interested in younger toys and uses
babyish language.
Long term effects
For example Turning to food for comfort, affected growth if not
eating or sleeping properly. Depression and self harm, Withdrawn and
avoid social contact, or unwanted behaviour to gain attention.