Skip to main content
Log in

Supporting Young Children’s Transitions to School: Recommendations for Families

  • Published:
Early Childhood Education Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transition refers to the process of change and encompasses the events and experiences that occur when a child moves from one setting to another. It also marks the time when children are separated from a familiar routine and environment and placed into an environment of uncertainty, changing roles and expectations. Transitions are important because children who experience continuity with earlier educational experiences show increased motivation, improved relationships with peers and adults, and higher achievement. Recommendations outlined for children and families include at school practices, at home practices, increased advocacy for children, information sharing, school tours, classroom visits, and on-going communication between teachers and parents and among family members.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell-Booth, R., Staton, S., & Thorpe, K. (2014). Getting there, being there, staying and belonging: A case study of two indigenous Austrailian children’s transition to school. Children and Society, 28(1), 15–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertram, T., & Pascal, C. (2002). Early years education: An international perspective. London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority [QCA].

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohan-Baker, M., & Little, P. (2002). The transition to kindergarten: A review of current research and promising practices to involve families. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from Harvard University, Harvard Family Research Project Website: www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/content/projects/fine/resources/research/bohan.pdf.

  • Broström, S. (2002). Communication and continuity in the transition from kindergarten to school. In H. Fabian & A. Dunlop (Eds.), Transitions in the early years (pp. 52–63). New York: RoutledgeFalmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broström, S. (2003). Problems and barriers in children’s learning when they transit from kindergarten to kindergarten class in school. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal [Monograph], 1, 51–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeCaro, J. A., & Worthman, C. M. (2011). Changing family routines at Kindergarten entry predict biomarkers of parental stress. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 35(5), 441–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deitz, S., & Warkala, C. (1993). Transitions: Preparing families of preschoolers for ‘marathon skills’. ReView, 25(1), 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dockett, S., & Perry, B. (2001). Beginning school together: Sharing strengths. Canberra: Australian Early Childhood Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dockett, S., & Perry, B. (2003). The transition to school: What’s important? Educational Leadership, 60(7), 30–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dockett, S., & Perry, B. (2005). Researching with children: Insights from the Starting School research project. Early Childhood Development and Care, 175(6), 507–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dockett, S., & Perry, B. (2013). Trends and tensions: Australian and international research and starting school. International Journal of Early Years Education, 21(2), 163–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunlop, A. W., & Fabian, H. (2007). Informing transition in the early years: Research, policy and practice. Berkshire, England: Maidenhead Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Einarsdottir, J., Perry, B., & Dockett, S. (2008). Transition to school practices: Comparisons from Iceland and Australia. Early Years, 28(1), 47–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elkind, D. (2003). The first grade challenge: Transition stress. Child Care Information Exchange, 154(1), 42–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabian, H. (2003). Young children changing schools: Disruption or opportunity? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal [Monograph], 1, 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabian, H., & Dunlop, A. (2002). Transitions in the early years. New York: RoutledgeFalmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griebel, W., & Niesel, R. (2003). Successful transitions: Social competencies help pave the way into kindergarten and school. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal [Monograph], 1, 25–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, L. J. (2005). Transition voices: Perspectives, concerns, and discontinuities expressed by children, parents and teachers as children transition from a university-affiliated kindergarten to a public school first grade. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of New Hampshire.

  • Kagan, S., & Neuman, M. (1999). Lessons from three decades of transition research. The Elementary School Journal, 98(4), 365–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, E., Cameraon, R. J., & Green, J. (2012). Transitions in the early years: Educational and child psychologists working to reduce the impact of school culture shock. Educational and Child Psychology, 29(1), 19–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kienig, A. (2002). The importance of social adjustment for future success. In H. Fabian & A. Dunlop (Eds.), Transitions in the early years (pp. 23–37). London: RoutledgeFalmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, K. E., & Mensah, F. K. (2011). Poverty, family resources and children’s early educational attainment: The mediating role of parenting. British Educational Research Journal, 37(2), 317–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Paro, K., Pianta, R., & Cox, M. (2000a). Kindergarten teachers’ reported use of kindergarten to first grade transition practices. The Elementary School Journal, 101(1), 63–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Paro, K., Pianta, R., & Cox, M. (2000b). Teachers’ reported transition practices for children transitioning into kindergarten and first grade. Exceptional Children, 67(1), 7–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langford, J. (2010). Families and transitions. In S. L. Kagan & K. Tarrant (Eds.), Transitions for young children (Vol. 20, pp. 185–209). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Love, J., Logue, M., Trudeau, J., & Thayer, K. (1992). Transitions to kindergarten in American schools: Final report of the National Transition Study. Washington, DC: US Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntyre, L. L., Eckert, T. L., Fiese, B. H., DiGennaro, F. D., & Wildenger, L. K. (2007). The transition to kindergarten: Family experiences and involvement. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(1), 83–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melhuish, E., Sylva, K., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I., Taggart, B., & Phan, M. (2008). Effects of the home-learning environment and preschool centre experiences upon literacy and numeracy development in the early primary school. Journal of Social Issues, 64, 157–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. (2004). The transition to kindergarten. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(3), 187–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pianta, R., & Kraft-Sayre, M. (2005). Successful kindergarten transition: Your guide to connecting children, families, and schools. Baltimore,MD: Paul Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renwick, M. (1984). To school at five: The transition from home or pre-school to school. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimm-Kaufman, S. E., & Pianta, R. (2000). An ecological perspective on the transition to kindergarten: A theoretical framework to guide empirical research. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 21, 491–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogoff, B. (2003). The cultural nature of human development. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez, S., & Thorpe, E. (1998). Discovering meanings of continuity. Zero to three, 18(6), 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sink, C. A., Edwards, C. N., & Weir, S. J. (2007). Helping children transition from kindergarten to first grade. Professional School Counseling, 10, 233–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skouteris, H., Watson, B., & Lum, J. (2012). Preschool children’s transition to formal schooling: The importance of collaboration between teachers, parents and children. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 37(4), 78–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildenger, L. K., & McIntyre, L. L. (2011). Family concerns and involvement during the kindergarten transition. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20(4), 387–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wildenger, L. K., McIntyre, L. L., Fiese, B. H., & Eckert, T. (2008). Children’s daily routines during kindergarten transition. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36, 69–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeboah, D. (2002). Enhancing transition from early childhood phase to primary education: Evidence from the research literature. Early Years: Journal of International Research and Development, 22(1), 51–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurie J. Harper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Harper, L.J. Supporting Young Children’s Transitions to School: Recommendations for Families. Early Childhood Educ J 44, 653–659 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0752-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0752-z

Keywords

Navigation