Transition planning is most effective when there is a strong partnership between the student, the family and the educators.
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Bogard and Takanishi (2005) refer to smooth transitions from early childhood programs to kindergarten as a bridge that links systems, such as connections between schools, families and educators from early childhood and elementary. The need for intentional collaboration between early childhood and elementary settings has drawn attention as an area needing more consideration with capacity to maintain and potentially maximize gains children achieved in years prior to school.
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Furthermore, Huser, Dockett, and Perry (2015) also use the analogy of a bridge between preschool and school that promote connections, between what is familiar and what is not, provide support as a passage is navigated and serve as a platform for guiding that passage’
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Locasale-Crouch, Mashburn, Downer, and Pianta (2008) discuss school transitions factors that incorporate high-intensity transition practices such as family and early childhood program visits to kindergarten classrooms, orientation programs and individual meeting sessions enhance and build on the supportive linkages between home, school and community.
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It is the family and educators’ responsibility to build and strengthen the partnership and collaboration efforts with the new teacher and school. The team you build will help support the child/family and advocate for the child to reach their full potential.
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How could school administrators and educators ease transitions?
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Learn more about the early childhood programs and schools in your area.
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Work to build partnerships that bridge early childhood and elementary learning journeys
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Continuously look for ways to eliminate communication/ connection/ information sharing barriers. Idea- Arrange to meet the superintendent and principles in your area
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Initiate and continuously promote professional development opportunities that encompass early and elementary professionals.
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Professionals visiting one another’s’ settings.
Resources:
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Maine’s Early Care and Education System
Contact MRTQ DCs (maybe the DC’s can help facilitate some of the professional collaboration opportunities)
Kindergarten School Readiness Tool
Learn more about how others are using transition to school reciprocal visits
Welcome to Kindergarten (article on communication ideas)
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Social Stories Tips and Ideas
Is there opportunity to take pictures of the school? It might be helpful to take pictures of the office, school nurse’s office, the bathroom, gym and other areas that might be helpful for your child to process prior to their official start of school. Would there be opportunity to have photos of different staff at the school? For example, the teacher, office staff, school nurse and custodian to name a few. The collection of pictures could be organized and created into a visual social story for the child that you and your child could read together or they could explore independently. Time together could have opportunity to propose different situations that might arise at school and you could work with your child to guide them through some possible situations that may arise while they at school.
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10 Questions to ask your child to learn more about their day at school
