Transitions

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.

Supporting Transitions: Using Child Development as a Guide

Fri, 06/23/2017 - 09:35

During the course of a child’s life, change is inevitable. Families move, siblings are born, school begins and, consequently, transitions happen. Knowing about children’s development can help us understand how children respond to transition. In addition, when program staff collaborate with families, they can learn how individual children experience change. Staff can also learn how to help children feel secure and comfortable during transition.

Supporting Transitions: Working with Early Education Partners

Fri, 07/07/2017 - 08:53

Learn strategies to communicate and collaborate with other ECE programs, elementary schools, and community stakeholders. This brief identifies ways programs can promote continuity between programs.

Supporting Transitions: Resources for Building Collaboration

Wed, 07/12/2017 - 09:12

Supporting transitions can have positive effects on children and families, and collaboration is key to effective transition. Each brief in this series focuses on a different partnership level: the child and family, early educators, early care and education (ECE) programs, and ECE partners.

Early Childhood Transitions: Supporting Children and Families

Tue, 01/23/2018 - 12:01

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.

Getting Ready for Receiving Schools

Mon, 08/13/2018 - 09:17

Watch this video blog from Dr. Deborah Bergeron to learn five ways Head Start programs can connect with the schools that will receive their children.

Planning for the Holidays in Head Start

Mon, 11/12/2018 - 10:08

In November’s vlog, Dr. Bergeron shares ideas for planning for the holidays in Head Start. Discover resources that will help programs in supporting children and staff.

Head Start and Receiving Elementary Schools: Transitions That Work

Wed, 06/05/2019 - 17:50

View this video to learn how Head Start programs can partner with receiving elementary schools to provide stability and consistency for children and families transitioning to kindergarten.

Using Professional Development to Support Transition to Kindergarten

Tue, 06/11/2019 - 14:21

Explore strategies to support transitions from Early Head Start up to kindergarten. Discover how professional development and relationships between Head Start programs and receiving schools support the process.

Supporting Infants and Toddlers and Their Families Through Transitions

Fri, 06/28/2019 - 08:14

In this episode of Teacher Time, learn more about transitions between programs as well as transitions that happen throughout the day in an infant/toddler program.

Leaders Supporting the Transition to Kindergarten

Fri, 11/08/2019 - 10:32

Explore the key parts of successful kindergarten transitions. Learn how staff and elementary school leaders can use information, relationships, and alignment to support smooth transitions for Head Start children.