School Readiness and Transition to School
School readiness and transition to school
By Sonja Tansey
Starting school can be an exciting, though often anxious experience for young children and their families. When children move from a familiar child care environment, with established relationships and routines, a larger more structured school setting can be overwhelming even for very confident children.
Child care services play an important role in preparing children and families for school and easing their transition from child care to the school setting.
The value of effective school readiness and transition Positive early school experiences through sound preparation and smooth transitions create good short and long term outcomes for children.
Effective school readiness experiences and transition programs help child care professionals and families to identify when individual children are ready for school and to prepare them with the skills and qualities they need for a fruitful school experience. Constructive school readiness and transition experiences also create links between the service, families and schools.
Foundations for success at school
Child care services are ideal environments for children to develop the qualities needed to succeed in all areas of life, including school. Child care services do not need to turn into school environments to prepare children for school.
Supporting children’s school readiness is about assisting them to develop their skills in areas such as literacy, numeracy and self-care when they are ready for this, and at their own pace.
Children’s social competence is at the core of their readiness for school and effective school transitions. Social skills such as sharing, turn taking and playing well with other children are essential in assisting children’s short and long term success at school. Responsive, positive relationships between children and their carers are also crucial in building children’s self-esteem and resilience which
By Sonja Tansey
Starting school can be an exciting, though often anxious experience for young children and their families. When children move from a familiar child care environment, with established relationships and routines, a larger more structured school setting can be overwhelming even for very confident children.
Child care services play an important role in preparing children and families for school and easing their transition from child care to the school setting.
The value of effective school readiness and transition Positive early school experiences through sound preparation and smooth transitions create good short and long term outcomes for children.
Effective school readiness experiences and transition programs help child care professionals and families to identify when individual children are ready for school and to prepare them with the skills and qualities they need for a fruitful school experience. Constructive school readiness and transition experiences also create links between the service, families and schools.
Foundations for success at school
Child care services are ideal environments for children to develop the qualities needed to succeed in all areas of life, including school. Child care services do not need to turn into school environments to prepare children for school.
Supporting children’s school readiness is about assisting them to develop their skills in areas such as literacy, numeracy and self-care when they are ready for this, and at their own pace.
Children’s social competence is at the core of their readiness for school and effective school transitions. Social skills such as sharing, turn taking and playing well with other children are essential in assisting children’s short and long term success at school. Responsive, positive relationships between children and their carers are also crucial in building children’s self-esteem and resilience which
References: • Child and Youth Health. (2008). Starting School. Retrieved March 11, 2008 from http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/ HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=1770 • Connor, J., & Linke, P. (2007). Your Child’s First Year at School: A Book for Parents. Watson, ACT: Early Childhood Australia. • Dockett, S. & Perry, B. (2001). Starting School: Effective Transitions. Early Childhood Research in Practice, Vol 3 No 2 Fall 2001. • NSW Department of Education and Training. (2008). Preparing for Kindergarten. Retrieved March 11, 2008 from http:// www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/primary/prepareforkindi.php • NSW Department of Education and Training. (2008). Starting School. Retrieved March 11, 2008 from http://www.schools. • Tansey, S. (2006). School’s In. Childcare Australasia, Vol 2 No 4 November 2006.