Child Transitions and Handoffs Planner

Purpose
Use this short planner to keep transitions calmer for the child. It is for ordinary weekly use: exchanges, overnights, school pickup changes, provider handoffs, activity days, and other points where stress can spike.

Core idea
A transition plan should reduce confusion, reduce adult spillover, and protect the child's routine, belongings, and emotional regulation.

1. Transition points this week
- Exchange day/time:
- Pickup or drop-off location:
- School handoff involved? yes / no
- Childcare handoff involved? yes / no
- Activity or practice handoff involved? yes / no
- Provider/appointment handoff involved? yes / no

2. What helps this child most at transitions
- Predictable time warning:
- Comfort item or bag:
- Food/snack needs:
- Medication needs:
- Homework or school material needs:
- Sensory or regulation needs:
- Sleep/fatigue concerns:
- Transportation concerns:

3. Keep these items from getting lost in the switch
- Backpack / school folder:
- Medication:
- Glasses / device / charger:
- Sports or activity gear:
- Comfort item:
- Paperwork or provider form:

4. What made the last transition harder
- Late change:
- Missing item:
- Child caught adult conflict:
- Schedule confusion:
- No food / tired / dysregulated:
- Unsafe or chaotic location:
- Too many last-minute messages:
- Other:

5. What would make the next transition calmer
- Earlier confirmation time:
- Written pickup/drop-off plan:
- One message thread only:
- Neutral location:
- School-based handoff:
- Simpler bag checklist:
- Better notice about schedule change:
- Child support person aware:

6. Child impact notes
Write only what changed for the child.
- Sleep:
- School attendance or readiness:
- Mood / regulation:
- Missed item or missed medication:
- Stress before or after handoff:
- Confusion about schedule:

7. Next small fix
Pick one change for the next handoff.
- What change will we try:
- Who needs to know:
- When will it be confirmed:

8. Carry-forward note
If this planner is being shared with a teacher, provider, helper, or support person, keep it short and child-centered.
- Main concern this week:
- Main protective step this week:
- Main follow-up date: