Transitioning to Kindergarten
"Ensuring that children start school ready to learn requires that attention be paid to one of the most complex and significant changes they will experience—transition to kindergarten." (Harvard Family Research Project, April 2004)
Easing a child’s
transition from VPK to kindergarten is a shared responsibility of many
individuals and institutions. The relationships among families, early
childhood education programs, and elementary schools are most effective when
they are dynamic and ongoing.
As you begin to think about implementing a successful transition
process, you should develop strategies that meet the following
objectives for both the children and your VPK staff:
The children will:
- participate in transitioning to kindergarten activities
- become familiar with an elementary school environment and kindergarten teachers
- gain a sense of trust and increase their self-confidence
- become familiar with the routines and activities commonly associated with kindergarten classrooms.
The VPK staff will:
- participate in transitioning to kindergarten activities
- become familiar with school personnel
- based on their knowledge and understanding of the routines, activities, and student expectations commonly associated with kindergarten classrooms, design and implement learning activities that promote school readiness skills.
