For some children, a change to the usual routine can feel much harder than we might expect.
Perhaps breakfast is different from usual.
A favourite activity has to finish.
Plans change unexpectedly.
Something doesn't happen in the way they imagined.
Or they are asked to try a different way of doing something.
These moments can sometimes lead to frustration, worry, upset or a strong reaction.
It can be easy to wonder why a change that seems small to us feels so difficult for a child.
What is flexibility?
Flexibility is the ability to adapt to change, try new things and handle unexpected situations.
It helps children move between activities, consider different options, cope when plans change and find another way when something isn't working.
Like many skills, flexibility develops gradually.
Some children may find it easier than others, and the same child may find flexibility harder at certain times.
Why can flexibility be difficult?
There can be lots of reasons.
Changes can feel uncertain.
A child may feel more comfortable when they know what to expect.
Moving from one activity to another can take effort, particularly when they are deeply involved in what they are doing.
When children are already feeling overwhelmed, anxious or tired, adapting to something unexpected can feel even harder.
Flexibility is a skill that can grow
Flexibility isn't something children either have or don't have.
It develops through experience, practice, support and opportunities to try small changes.
Sometimes the first step might simply be helping a child know what to expect.
Over time, they can begin to experience that change can be manageable, even when it doesn't go exactly to plan.
And those small experiences matter.
Small steps can build confidence.
Supporting flexibility
Every child is different, so what helps one child may not work for another.
The aim isn't to make every change easy.
It's to gradually help children develop the confidence and skills to adapt, cope and keep going when things don't go as expected.
Want practical support for your child's flexibility?
Our Flexibility Toolkit for Parents includes checklists, practical strategies and visual tools to help you support your child with change, transitions and trying new things.