Waiting & Transitions
Waiting for a turn, and stopping one thing to start another, are hard for many children.
If it’s happening right now
- Tell them what is happening and for how long, in a way they can see: “Two more minutes, then we go.”
- Give a warning before a change, and again closer to it, rather than one sudden stop.
- Offer something to do or hold while they wait, such as a favourite small toy, a song or a counting game.
- Show what comes next with a first–then picture or words: “First shoes, then car.”
- Stay calm and keep to the plan once you have said it. Praise the waiting afterwards, however small.
These are everyday suggestions, not medical advice. Everything below can wait until your child is ready.
For when things are calm
- Waiting Social StoriesThirty stories with things to do and say while you wait, for places like the checkout, the bus and the doctor.
- Screen-Time Transition PackCountdown cards and a first–then board make finishing screen time more predictable.
- Social StoriesStories such as Waiting My Turn, Going to Bed and Stopping Something I Enjoy.
- Practise a SituationEveryday moments about things ending and waiting, to talk through together.
Specific situations
22 situations
Waiting for your name or number to be called
Waiting for my number to be calledGetting ready for school in the morning
Story: Getting Ready for SchoolWaiting for a birthday or a present
Waiting for my birthdayThe party is over
Practise: The party is overWaiting to go somewhere exciting
Waiting to go somewhere excitingWaiting at the supermarket checkout
Waiting at the checkoutWaiting for food at a café or restaurant
Waiting for my food at a caféLining up at school
Waiting in a line at schoolWaiting for the teacher to help
Waiting for my teacher to help meWaiting for the bus
Waiting for the busWaiting to be picked up
Waiting to be picked upWaiting for a turn
Story: Waiting My TurnWaiting for the slide or a swing
Waiting for my turn on the slideSomeone else goes first
Story: Someone Else Goes FirstWaiting for a snack or a treat
Waiting for a snackScreen time ending
Screen-time transition packWaiting for screen time or a game to load
Waiting for screen timeBedtime
Bedtime routine packLeaving the playground
Leaving the playground packStopping something fun
Leaving a fun place packSaying goodbye after a play date
Story: Leaving a Friend’s HouseSharing
Story: Sharing