The Potential Effects of Transitions on Children and Young People's Development and the Importance of Positive Relationships

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The potential effects of transitions on children and young people's development How transitions can affect children and young people's development Children and young people must deal with change in their life. As they develop and grow their bodies change, friendships and relationships change and they experience many new and different situations involving transitions including physical transitions e.g. moving to new house, emotional transitions e.g. gaining or loosing a family member or changing carers, physiological transitions e.g. puberty and intellectual transitions e.g. moving through different types of education. All children will deal with transitions such as moving schools but only some are affected by transitions, such as changing carers. Children and young people respond and deal with transitions in different ways both positively and negatively, and may affect many areas of their development and behaviour, but most of the time these effects are temporary. Adults must be sensitive while children are going through transition situations and support them if needed. There are many negative effects transitions can have on children's development including regression e.g. going back to old behaviours, changes in behaviour e.g. they may become aggressive, withdrawn or clingy, physical problems e.g. eating or sleeping problems, speech problems e.g. selective mutism or stuttering, also mental problems e.g. depression and self harm. The importance of positive relationships during periods of transitions Change may be unsettling for children and young people and can cause them to feel anxious and insecure. During these periods of uncertainty it is important that they have consistency and familiarity and they need to know that someone will continue to provide them with a sense of security. A strong attachment with with a trusted adult is very

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