Final answer:
Riley's caregiver can support smoother transitions by establishing predictable routines, giving verbal warnings before changes, using visual schedules or timers, staying calm and reassuring, introducing transition objects or activities, and providing positive reinforcement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transitioning between activities can be challenging for some children, and there are strategies Riley's caregiver can implement to ease these transitions and reduce breakdowns. Foremost, establishing and maintaining routines can provide a sense of predictability and security, helping Riley to know what to expect. Additionally, a caregiver can offer verbal warnings a few minutes before a transition takes place, to give Riley time to prepare mentally.
Introducing a visual schedule or timer can also help signal to Riley when it is time to change activities. This visual aid can serve as a non-verbal cue, making transitions more tangible and less abrupt. It's also important for the caregiver to maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor, providing gentle guidance and support, which can make changes in activity less intimidating.
Moreover, incorporating a transition object or activity, such as a favorite toy or a brief game, that can move with Riley from one activity to the next, might also bridge the gap between activities and offer comfort during these moments. Positive reinforcement for successful transitions can further encourage adaptive behavior. By being attentive to Riley's emotional responses and providing structured and understandable transitions, the caregiver can help Riley move from one activity to the next more seamlessly and with less distress.