Supporting Positive Transitions into Public School
A child’s education begins at birth. It is a life-long learning journey. A family should be prepared to become active partners in the life-long learning journey that will evolve transition and shift over time. Transitions are a difficult but natural part of that individual learning journey, for children and adults. There are different types of transitions and Grant and Ray (2019) describe the transition to school as a normal but significant transition for the entire family.
​
Transitions can be exciting and stimulating. They can also cause feelings of uncertainty, and possibly even fear for the child and/or family. The supports and services mentioned within this resource are to help build and strengthen the child and family’s engagement in learning and offer support while navigating those transitions.
​
Webb, Knight and Busch, (2017) highlight how successful transitions to school can help a child and family build a sense of belonging with the school, adjust socially and academically, and have ongoing family communication and engagement. They highlight the transition to school as a journey of itself; which takes time, preparation, and advanced planning.
​
Let’s look at why, what and when a family should prepare and plan in advance for their transition to school~
One primary reason that transitions can be difficult is because they change and alter what people know, trust and relate to such as identity, relationships, and predictable roles and routines.
​
Dockett, Perry, and Kearney (2012) say it best. “The transition to school involves a major change for children and families and requires adjustment at all levels. Starting school places a specific set of demands upon children and families, and the nature of the transition is characterized by how each responds to these demands.”
​
Be aware…
-
The relationship between the child and parent will shift as the child learns new independence skills, gains additional self-control, emotional regulation and begins to navigate the new social and academic learning experiences.
-
If transitioning from an early childhood program, you and your child may also experience feelings of uncertainty and loss
-
Making new relationships and opportunities is exciting but it can also be stressful and cause feelings of anxiety for children and their families.
​
When should you begin thinking about the transition to school?
​
-
There is not a solid answer for when you should begin. Each child and family, are unique as are the context of his or her individual lives. All these factors plus learning styles needs consideration. Think and plan for how your child and family process change. It never hurts to begin planning early.
​
-
Reflect on and consider if your child has had other daily out of the home routines such as; child care, preschool, head start, and/ or playgroups? If not that is okay but realize this transition might be an even bigger step for you and your child. You both may need some additional time to plan and adjust to those changes.
​
​
​
​
What can you and your family do to prepare?
​
-
Take time to reflect on your ideas and beliefs about public school
-
Reflect and acknowledge the big step this will be for you, your family and your child.
-
Identify your concerns about your child starting school
-
Examine your own attitude, past experiences – understand this can, and will be communicated to your child.
-
If applicable talk with your current child care provider, they are a(n)
-
Resource for school readiness information
-
Resource for where your child is developmentally
-
Advocate for your child and family.
-
-
Talk with your child about the transition to public school
-
Set daily morning and bedtime rituals- start early to build routine prior to starting school
-
Set time routinely to talk with your child about the upcoming changes. Discuss what they are excited or fearful of.
-
Share books about starting school
-
Create and share social stories with your children
-
-
Familiarize your child and yourself with the school environment/expectations
-
Reach out to your local school to receive readiness materials
-
Learn about and gather the required legal documentation and records required for school registration
-
-
Visit the school playground
-
Attend informational, Open house, family nights, Community events
-
Make/ strengthen connections with children and families that will be attending the same school and class as your child.
-
If possible, visit a grade appropriate classroom
-
Familiarize yourself and your child with how you will get to and from school (transportation mode-pick up and drop off)