Making the Transition: From Early Childhood Programs into Elementary Schools

by FamilyEducation Staff

Brought to FEN by National PTA

Children and families moving from preschools and other early childhood programs into elementary schools do not usually have the support they need to make successful transitions according to a study by the U. S. Department of Education.

Although the importance of sharing information about preschool children may seem obvious, results of the National Transition Survey report the following:

• Only 10 percent of schools report regular communication between kindergarten teachers and their pupils' previous early childhood teachers.

• Only 12 percent of schools have kindergarten programs designed to build on preschool programs.

• Only 47 percent have a formal program for encouraging parents to visit schools. (Love and Logue, Transitions to Kindergarten in American Schools: Final Report of the National Transition Study. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Policy and Planning, 1992.)

Research also suggests that fostering a smooth transition between preschools and elementary schools can extend the benefits of preschool programs to beyond the early elementary grades.

Young children coming into elementary schools are usually moving from child-focused activities to education-focused programs. A transition process is necessary to insure children, families, and school personnel understand one another. It is important to work together to help children successfully adjust to elementary school in order to fully benefit from new school experiences.