Transition to school is one of the most important steps in a young child’s life. Children must learn to navigate academic, behavioral and social expectations that might be different from the expectations at home or in the early learning setting. Parents might feel discomfort and fear about sending their child into this new experience. Well planned, collaborative transition models build trust and relationships among children, families, teachers and the school community. Systematic strategies and common understanding of terms and approaches among stakeholders can increase the success of transition practices.
In this Transition toolkit, find the components of the Transition Into Formal School Toolkit.
I. Transition to Formal School Toolkit Table of Contents
II. Best Practices Rubric Transition to Formal Schooling (Receiving)
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Receiving)
- Best Practice Action Plan, Receiving School
III. Best Practices Rubric Transition to Formal Schooling (Sending)
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Sending)
- Best Practice Rubric Action Plan, Sending Schools
IV. Section: Overview of Transition (Management)
- Transition Overview
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Receiving) Worksheet
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Sending) Worksheet
- Classroom Activities for Kindergarten Transition
- Components of a Successful Transition Program
- Conceptual Framework (TACEL)
- Developing Relationships Between Schools and Families
- Enhancing the Transition to Kindergarten
- How to Register Your Child for Kindergarten Template
- Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) Summary
- National Center for Early Development and Learning Transition to Kindergarten Fact Sheet
- Perceptions: Improving Communications
- Pledge for Transition Partners
- Questions Families May Have
- Request for Information Sharing Form
- Supporting Children’s Entry into Formal School brochure
- Transition Basic Steps (English)
- Transition Basic Steps (Spanish)
- Transition Coordinator Guide – Community
- Transition Coordinator Guide – School District
- Transition: What is is and why it is important (English)
- Transition: What it is and why it is important (Spanish)
- PA’s Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) Summary
- PD Template Event Flyer
- School Information Template
- Why are they always playing? Why quality matters.
- Working Together for Student Success
V. Section: School in Community
- School in Community Overview
- Transition to Formal School for Early Care Worksheet (Receiving)
- Transition to Formal School for Early Care Worksheet (Sending)
- Best Practice Rubric Action Plan (Sending Schools)
- Creating a Transition Team and Plan
- Developing a Collaborative Team Approach to Support Family and Community Connections with Schools: What Can School Leader Do? (National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools)
- Developing Relationships Between Schools and Families
- Enhancing Community and School Connections Enhancing Community and School Connections
- Getting to Know Your Child (Therapists as Collaborative Team members for Infant/Toddler Community Services)
- Kindergarten Registration Public Service Announcement and Template
- Last Minute Tips for Starting Kindergarten
- School Information Template
- School Safety
- We are going to Kindergarten: Books About Transitioning to Kindergarten
- Working Together for Student Success
- Why are they always playing? Why quality matters.
VI. Section: Child to School
- Child to School Overview
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Sending School) Worksheet
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Receiving School) Worksheet
- Help Me Know Your Child Template
- Kindergarten, Here I Come! activity guide
- Kindergarten, Here I Am! activity guide
- Last Minute Tips for Starting Kindergarten
- Learning Is Everywhere
- Making New Students Feel Welcome
- Recipes for Readiness
- Request for Information Sharing Form
- School Information Template
- School Safety
- Tips and Suggestions to Support Child to School Transitions (English)
- Tips and Suggestions to Support Child to School Transitions (Spanish)
- Using Social Stories to Ease Children’s Transitions (Beyond the Journal, Young Children on the Web, Sept. 2005)
- We are going to Kindergarten: Books About Transitioning to Kindergarten
- Who is Who at our School Template
- Why are they always playing? Why quality matters.
- Writing Letters to Incoming Kindergarten Students Template
VII. Section: Family to School
- Overview Family to School
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Sending) Worksheet
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Receiving) Worksheet
- Developing Relationships Between Schools and Families
- Easing the Transition from PreK to K What school and families can do to address Child Readiness (National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools)
- Family and Child Snapshot Template
- Family and Community Engagement Self Assessment
- Family and Community Engagement: The Ultimate Back-to-School Supply (Department of Education)
- Family Pledge – English
- Family Pledge – Spanish
- Families and Teachers Working as Partners
- Getting to Know Your Child (Therapists as Collaborative Team members for Infant/Toddler Community Services)
- Help Me Know Your Child Template
- How to Register Your Child for Kindergarten Template
- Kindergarten Registration Template
- Last Minute Tips for Starting Kindergarten
- Questions Families May Have
- Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth Through 6 Years Old
- Request for Information Sharing Form
- School Safety
- Strategies for Early Learning Professionals, Preparing Children for Transition into Formal School Settings Checklist
- Strengthening Families White Paper
- Ten Tips for Involving Families through Internet Based Communication (NAEYC Spotlight on Teaching Preschoolers)
- Tips and Suggestions to Support Child to School Transitions
- Transition Plan Checklist for Early Learning
- We are going to Kindergarten: Books About Transitioning to Kindergarten
- Who is who in your child’s school
- Why are they always playing? Why quality matters.
- Working Together for Student Success
- Writing Letters to Incoming Kindergarten Students Template
VIII. Section: School to School
- Overview School to School
- Transition to Formal Schooling,Best Practice Rubric (Sending)Worksheet
- Transition to Formal Schooling, Best Practice Rubric (Receiving) Worksheet
- Classroom Activities for Kindergarten Transition
- Developing Relationships Between Schools and Families
- Enhancing School to School Connections
- Early Learning Program Visit Record Sheet Template & Sample
- Formal School Visit Record Sheet Template & Sample
- Transition Plan Checklist for Formal School Settings
- Request for Information Sharing Form
- School Information Template
- School Safety
- School Snapshot Template
- Strategies for Early Learning Professionals, Preparing Children for Transition into Formal School Settings Checklist
- Transition Plan Checklist for Early Learning
- Transition Plan Checklist for Formal School Settings
- Why are they always playing? Why quality matters.
- Working Together for Student Success
IX. Section: Bibliography
X. Section 7: Research