Children experience many transitions, including from home to an early care and education setting, between age groups or program settings, and from preschool to kindergarten. Supporting these transitions for children, families, and staff is critically important because even positive change can be challenging. How the foundation for positive transitions is laid across all levels of the system to support children, families, and staff through transitions can have far-reaching effects on children’s well-being and academic success. Program staff consider the long-term process of building and maintaining the capacity to support children and families at all levels. They also look at ways to improve how they connect and communicate within systems during transitions.
Discover a list of specific, research-based activities that educators can implement during the transition to Kindergarten process. They focus on ways to foster the four key points of connection with the child's receiving school.
Learn about the four points of connection necessary in the transition process. Discover the six steps to planning for the transition and success stories from the field.
Explore this list of children’s books about the transition to kindergarten. Find stories to increase children’s comfort with their new learning setting.
Review a list of resources—including practical guides, special topics, and research— that offer support to families during the kindergarten transition process
This guide offers tips, organized across a timeline, for families to engage in the kindergarten transition and support their children throughout the process.
Find research-based practices and activities to help leaders create successful transitions to kindergarten. Use this information to support the four points of connection that are key to transitions.
Explore national kindergarten transition policies. Learn how these policies inform the decision-making and practices of Head Start and elementary school leaders as they support the transition process.
Discover information and strategies to help Head Start program staff support children who are dual language learners (DLLs) and their families as they make the transition to kindergarten.
Making a transition to a new care and learning setting can have an impact on families. Explore ways to support and help families feel secure as they get ready to make the move to a new setting.
Explore this activity calendar for families includes month-by-month activity lists for supporting the kindergarten transition in the year prior to kindergarten entry.