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Facilitating Transitions
March 24, 2011
Avoiding climate breakdown will require cathedral thinking. We must lay the foundation while we may not know exactly how to build the ceiling.
-Greta Thunberg, youth climate activist
-Greta Thunberg, youth climate activist
- School teachers should work more closely with preschool teachers, especially toward the last month of the school year to know more about children who will enter first grade. Moreover, if school teachers visit preschools a few times, preschool children will see familiar faces upon entering first grade.
- Schools should allow visits by preschool children and teachers.
- The school system (or district) should encourage and facilitate communication and collaboration among families, preschool, and school teachers.
- Preschool and school teachers and staff should share expectations with parents and coach them on ways to support their child’s transition to first grade/school.
- First grade classrooms should have materials familiar to children and use activities that are familiar to children; preschool and school teachers should share syllabi, prototype materials, and ideas.
- Curriculum for first and second grades of primary school should be revised to incorporate more child-centered, active learning, and flexible activities that are commonly found in the preschool learning environment; concurrently, first and second grade teachers should be trained on children’s holistic development and early stimulation.
- First grade teachers should allow transition time for children (at least two weeks) so that the latter can adapt to the new environment.
Beginnings Workshop: Transitions
Beginnings Workshop is an invaluable resource for staff training. In each 16 page unit the top experts in the field address a specific curriculum topic in depth. 
Helping Children Make Transitions - by Christina Alton, Masami Mizukami, Margaret Banks, Marla Quick, and Linda Dziadul
The First Grade Challenge: Transition Stress - by David Elkind
Expectations About the Transition - by Gilberto Mendez
The Gift of Change - by M. Parker Anderson
A Long-Time Director Retires - by Pat Sheppard and Pamela DuVall
I Was Such A Fabulous Teacher, What Happened? - by Kate Duffy
Training Suggestions - by Kay Albrecht
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Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsMalaysia
I am pleased to state that some schools do follow this approach,the project I am involved in is exectly as the article and I will be sharing it at the World Forum in Hawaii,great article.
Albury, Australia
While it is hard to argue with the suggestions in the Mendez article it would be a shame if that was all there was to it. The roles of parents, families and especially children in transition to school need to be considered. There is a lot that has happened with transition to school since 2003 and there is a lot more to it than what the teachers can do.
Milwaukee, United States
This is a comment about the quote you chose for today. Since it's not in front of me, I will try to remember - "If it doesn't absorb you; if it isn't any fun, don't do it." I get that in terms of making choices about free time...but, unfortunately, too many parents feel that way about caring for their kids. It seems like a very self-centered perspective and not one that is useful. Working for an agency whose mission is to strengthen parenting and prevent child abuse, including sexual abuse, that quote hit a nerve. Without any commentary, it felt like a very odd choice for Child Care Exhange to use. Caring for children means there is an abundance of things that may not absorb us or, on the surfact, be much fun - but are critically important. Good caregivers find ways to put their own immediate needs aside and find joy and delight in meeting the needs of little ones. Thanks, everyone - and have a sunny day!
United States
This article discusses exactly what I have been talking to many teachers about. Unfortunatly I have not seen the transitions incorporating much child-centered activities at all. After Kindergarten, especially in an inner city or first tier suburb school, curriculum is almost solely teacher directed including what color you must color your coloring sheets. It breaks my heart and many of these children do not care for school because they find it boring. They are not allowed to be creative as much as they need to.
Portland, OR, United States
I very much agree with the recommendations in the Facilitating Transitions article. It can make for a much smoother experience for children. The points made are excellent. I believe rewording the points without using the word "should" offers a more positive and inviting communication to the reader.
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