A supportive transition toolkit for K-1 students with cognitive difficulties, themed around a royal princess journey. It features a printable pocket social story booklet, a matching transition token board, and an educator implementation guide to help students transition from recess and between school locations.
🗣️ "Princess [Name], our royal adventure in this room has 2 minutes left! Here is your magic castle key. Hold it tight so we can do our power walk back to the classroom with your Grand Protector."
Phase 2: Signal Sounds / Directions Given Transition Action
Stand next to student. Point to Step 1 and Step 2 on the Crown Board.
🗣️ "Listen, Princess! The royal whistle is blowing / your Grand Protector is giving directions to head inside. Let's stand up tall like our strong castle. Beautiful tall body! Let's walk back to our classroom to earn our next gem!"
Phase 3: Arrival & Reward Delivery Reinforcement
As she enters her Cozy Chamber inside the classroom.
🗣️ "You walked beautifully like royalty! Look, you arrived at your safe cozy classroom chamber. Here is your sparkly pink gem for your board! Put it right on your slot."
Protocol: What to Do If She Burrows or Hides
⚠️ Crucial Clinical Rule: Physical pulling or yelling during sensory burrowing triggers an intense survival defense mechanism (fight/flight), prolonging refusal. Use this progressive supportive sequence:
Step A: Clear Demands
De-escalate voice: Lower your volume. Do not command her to "get up" repeatedly. Instead, kneel nearby and state: "You are safe here. We will wait 1 minute, then take our royal walk back."
Step B: Offer "Grounded" Choice
Limit choice: Show the pocket booklet. "Would you like to walk holding your Grand Protector's token, or do you want to hold my finger for your royal walk? You choose."
Step C: Use Cozy Chamber
Pivot destination: Remind her of the ultimate cozy classroom chamber. "Let's move your body back to your beautiful inside castle chair. It has your soft pillow waiting."
Transition Progress Tracker (Weekly Checklist)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
⭕ Refusal: Yes/No
⭕ Space: ________
⭕ Refusal: Yes/No
⭕ Space: ________
⭕ Refusal: Yes/No
⭕ Space: ________
⭕ Refusal: Yes/No
⭕ Space: ________
⭕ Refusal: Yes/No
⭕ Space: ________
Unit: Royal Transitions Instructional Design Tool Page 2 of 2