Successful Transitions
“Transitions, in the early childhood context, are defined as: The process of moving between home and childhood setting, between a range of different early childhood settings, or from childhood setting to full-time school.” (Early Years Learning Framework)
WATCH
1 min
CURRICULUM
Early Years Learning Framework
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
Australian Curriculum Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories & Cultures
NSW English and Mathematics Syllabus
- Communicates effectively by using interpersonal conventions and language with familiar peers and adults. (ENE-OLC-01)
- Understands and responds to literature read to them. (ENE-UARL-01)
- Demonstrates an understanding of how whole numbers indicate quantity. (MAE-RWN-01)
- Reads numerals and represents whole numbers at least to 20. (MAE-RWN-02)
- Communicates ways to be caring, inclusive and respectful of others. (PDe-3)
Kindergarten orientation and transition advice (NSW Department of Education)
FAMILIES
Read
2 minutes
Successful transitions in the early years are more likely when they happen in partnership with educational settings.
Transitions aren’t one-off or sudden events. They happen over a long period of time as students journey through phases of their life. During early years transition it’s important that your child has the opportunity to:
- Engage in familiar activities
- Be social and make connections
- Get to know their new learning environment
- Know that there are people there to help them
- Build on their prior & current experiences
- Families & schools should work together to help children feel secure, confident and connected
Explore
10 minutes
Some ideas for supporting transition to school
- Attend a school orientation or transition to school program at your new school.
- Talk to your child about their feelings on the first days of school – discuss what to do if your child feels sad, worried, nervous?
- Read books about starting school (e.g. Starting School by Janet Ahlberg).
- Practise writing and recognising their name.
- Practise putting on their school uniform.
- Practise packing items into their school bag.
- Practise opening all the items in their lunch box.
Books to support transition:
As I Grew Older by Ian Abdulla
Papunya School Book of Country and History by Papunya School
TEACHERS
![](http://designbymouse.com.au/earlyyears/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/reflect-icon.png)
Reflect
30 minutes
Reflect on your knowledge and practice
Consider the EYLF, NSW Syllabus and LPs:
- Where have these children come from?
- Where are you taking them?
Think about the learning that happens in your classroom that builds the knowledge and skills for a successful transition to the classroom.
What do you expect from the early learner?
What do you want parents to know about transition?
In what other settings might a child experience transition? (i.e.not just from an ELC to K classroom)
How will you use transition to know more about a child’s literacy and numeracy development?
This is an opportunity to share what successful transitions looks like in your classroom. Also you may consider transitions that happen throughout the school day.
![](http://designbymouse.com.au/earlyyears/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Engage-icon.png)
Engage
45 minutes
Engage in a learning conversation with parents
Suggested conversation starters:
- Is there anything in the video that challenged your thinking
about learning and the connection with transition? - What foundational skills do you see in the video that would
assist with a successful transition? - How are the children:
- Practising their skills?
- Testing their ideas?
- Building their knowledge?
- What opportunity can you create, or do you have at home that supports your child’s transition journey?