Product Review

Simple Transitions gives unprecedented attention to improving the effectiveness of daily transitions and offers essential information for teachers in infant and toddler childcare. Karen Miller uses her extensive knowledge of infants and toddlers to gather hundreds of practical, easy, and fun activities, tips, and techniques that help infants, toddlers, caregivers, and parents. The information in Simple Transitions guides caregivers through day-to-day routines and other transitions, such as an infant moving to a toddler classroom.

The activities help infants and toddlers handle themselves in time and space so that they know what to expect and what is expected of them. The result is more relaxed and secure children. The reader will learn how to create non-verbal signals that help young children interpret their world. Many simple rituals are suggested that give children a feeling of control. Simple songs and puppet activities offer an added sense of pleasure.

More than an activity book, Simple Transitions also explains the development of infants and toddlers, and how transitions can be adapted to fit their developmental needs. The book respects the child while maintaining an understanding of the caregiver's need to get things done. This book will help caregivers "live in the moment" and enjoy what each day has to offer.

Key features of this book:

• Over 400 tips, ideas, and activities to help smooth out the schedule in an infant or toddler classroom.
• Topics covered include the typical routines of the day, with separate sections for infants and for toddlers.
• Strategies for handling transitions, such as entering childcare, continuity of care, and advancing to a new classroom are also included.
• Developmental milestones are identified for each age group.