Effective Transition and Clean-Up Routine
EFFECTIVE TRANSITION AND CLEAN UP ROUNTINE
HEY TOPP KIDS!!! … HEY WHAT?!
Tell the group that when we are ready to transition from one activity to
another, leaders will use a code phrase that only they know what it
means (they love this). I tell them that our code is “HEY TOPP KIDS!!!”
When we call this, they are expected to stop what they’re doing, sit down
and call back “HEY WHAT!!!” with their eyes on the leader who called.
The leader will then make the announcement they need to with the
whole group’s attention.
EFFECTIVE TRANSITIONS
After Calling “HEY TOPP KIDS!” provide 10 and 5 minute warnings before children need to clean up. Then, call “HEY TOPP KIDS!” again to let the group know that it is time to tidy up! They should then be ready to put away anything at the center they are playing in, clean their floors and sit with their eyes on the leader who called it. This is the perfect time for the team to be involved at every center, helping make sure everything goes away in the right areas. If they’re out of the interest areas, they are to go to the nearest center and help out.
The person that called will then dismiss each center that is fully tidy to either the line up or the next activity. Transitions should be fun, fast and as few as possible. See transitions in the Program Coordinators Portfolio.
LINING UP
When children line up, we would like them to be as quiet as they can be or taking part in an organized transition game. When they line up it is usually during a transition to another activity, such as going outside. Once the children have lined up an educator needs to be at the front and at the back. One educator should be counting the children and another does roll call.