When plans change—for example, when rain means we cannot go to the park—my child cries for a long time and cannot move on. How can I explain the change?

Losing an anticipated activity can be upsetting even when a child understands the reason. First acknowledge it: “You wanted to go to the park.” Then show the new sequence with a picture or short phrase: “Rain, no park, then play at home.” Offer no more than two alternatives and let your child choose. Repeated explanations may be hard to process while they are distressed, so provide a quieter place and time, then review the next plan after they are calm.