Make several sets of musical instruments for the preschoolers to use during transition time. Fill plastic containers half-full of dried beans for shakers. Tie one end of a piece of string onto a wire coat hanger and the other end onto an unsharpened pencil to make musical triangles. Use a pair of spoons for each child to tap together for music. Tape plastic lids onto matching plastic bowls for bongo drums. Place each type of instrument in a different box, making sure there are enough for each child. Each day, get out one of the boxes. Give each child an instrument as she lines up or sits down in the circle-time area or snack table. Allow the children to make music until it is time for the next activity.
Help children understand when they will have a turn to go to another area. Cut out and laminate one each of a red, yellow and green paper circle. Give the green circle to the first child in line, yellow circle to the next child and red to the third child. When the first preschooler moves from the line or circle, he should pass the green light to the person next to or behind him. That child will keep the green and pass the yellow to the child next to or behind her. The third child will pass the red circle to the closest child to her. Continue with passing the green for "go," yellow for "wait," and red for "stop" until all the children have gone to the next area.
Make a number chart or line and fasten it to the wall at eye-level for the children. Encourage the children to count how many things they pick up during clean-up time.
Then have each child locate the number on the chart or line. Praise each child for working hard and for recognizing the number.
Print each child's on a card. Place all the cards inside a bag. When it is time to move from one area to another, have one child reach into the bag take out a card. He should hold up the card so all the children can see it. The child whose name is on the card will come to get the card and move to the appropriate area. Gather all the name cards after everyone is settled in the new area.