24 secrets of daycare teachers—steal their tricks!

Meike VanGerwen, an ECE at the University of Toronto Early Learning Centre, makes transitions easier by helping the kids in her care envision the future activity in a positive way. As she’s leading the kids through the transition, she might say something like, “What are we going to play with when we get to the playground?” Be creative and customize your comments to your kid’s interest. If your son likes cars, for example, but hates the idea of having to stop playing with his cars to have a bath, turn the bath into a car wash. “Children are incredibly creative,” VanGerwen says. “Use their imaginations to your advantage.”