By Karen Burns, M.S., C.A.S., Support Teacher

Like other transitions, moving on to kindergarten offers exciting, new opportunities and experiences, but can also cause families and children concern and anxiety. There were worries, separation issues, and tears on the part of children (and perhaps parents). Over time, parents and children have gotten to know teachers and have adjusted to the school routine. Trusting relationships have developed. What probably seems difficult is to leave this comfortable situation and start that same adjustment process again.

Families often have many questions about kindergarten, some of which are logistics. How long is the school day? How large are the kindergarten classes? Is there an aide in the classroom along with the teacher? How long will the bus ride be? The answers to these questions vary for each school and for each school district. One way to get a sense of things is to connect with other families in your school district or elementary school who can offer information, experiences that their children have had, and tips on how to make the transition process go smoothly. Jowonio classroom teachers and support teachers also have experiences transitioning children to many schools and can offer information on the schools and the process. Many elementary schools have information meetings and kindergarten registration meetings where they introduce staff and offer information to parents about the school and kindergarten. Some schools also have an orientation day for children which can include an opportunity to meet their teachers, try a school bus ride, hear a story read by the school librarian or participate in other activities that will be part of the kindergarten day. Take advantage of each of these opportunities to gain information and begin to feel part of your new school.

Other questions are more specific to curriculum and learning. What are the expectations in kindergarten? Will my child be ready for these expectations? What kind of supports or individual attention are available for my child? Is my child "ready" for kindergarten? For some children, waiting an extra year is a choice that some families make. However, children enter kindergarten with a variety of skills, strengths and needs and kindergarten teachers strive to meet the diverse needs of all the children. As parents, you know your child very well. You know what your child is good at and what they need help with. Discussions with your child's preschool teacher during this year can add information about your child's learning style and the growth he/she has made socially and cognitively. If you still have some questions about your child’s entry into kindergarten, bring those concerns to your school principal. He or she can help you understand how those areas can be addressed within the kindergarten setting.

This is especially important for children who will enter kindergarten with support services. Often a visit to the kindergarten early in this school year enables families to see the kindergarten program and the supports that are available. It's helpful to meet the teachers, therapists and administrators in your child's school and establish a positive working relationship with these staff. Sharing information about your child and your vision for your child is an important start to developing the appropriate supports for kindergarten. Your child's teachers and therapists will be a part of this process communicating with you and with your school district.

As your child's final preschool year draws to a close, Jowonio teachers provide activities to prepare your child for moving on. These activities may include mapping where each child in the room is going for the next year, taking field trips to the school playgrounds of youngsters who are moving on, or having a "public school week" where lunch, gym and other activities simulate what kindergarten might be like. Families also can provide transition activities like driving by the new school and talking about it with your child, playing on the playground at the new school, visiting when the school is not busy and full of children (check with school staff about this first), or taking photographs of the school and developing a simple book about the new school. These simple activities can go a long way in helping your child become comfortable with the new setting and make the first official day go more smoothly.

Feel free to talk with teachers and support staff with questions or concerns that you may have about the transition process. They will be talking with you and your child about moving on. We often hear from families who have moved on that the idea of leaving Jowonio was difficult but that both children and parents have settled into elementary school, having found caring teachers there. To quote Anne Winschel, a parent of a former Jowonio student, “often the leaving is harder than being gone.”

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