Easing the Transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten

Posted by on November 11, 2005

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

EASING THE TRANSITION FROM PRE-K TO KINDERGARTEN
The first years of school can set the tone for a child’s long-term academic success — that is why the transition from preschool to kindergarten can be crucial. And this transition time is also key to getting families involved in their children’s school and education. The Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) has recently released a strategy brief that examines how schools and families can work together to address children’s readiness for school. It also provides strategies schools can use to begin transition activities before children enter kindergarten. Chris Ferguson, who cowrote the strategy brief with Lacy Wood, says that many of these transition activities are just common sense. “Other activities address issues that some school administrators may not think about — such as inviting families to participate in focus groups or discussion groups about student performance, expectations, and curriculum.” Ferguson adds that the relationship schools form with parents before school begins can help get kids off to a good start in elementary school and establish a productive relationship between families and schools.

http://www.sedl.org/connections/research-briefs.html