Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators

The transition to kindergarten is most successful when it is carefully planned out over the entire pre-kindergarten year. Starting as early as the first day of preschool, it’s important to make sure that children are developing the academic skills that help form a foundation of strong pre-reading and pre-writing, as well as the social and emotional skills they’ll need in kindergarten.

The year before kindergarten is the ideal time for teachers and parents to think about children’s strengths, talents, weaknesses, and personality as well as how that information will be passed on to their new schools.

This kit includes tools and materials for administrators, pre-K teachers, child care providers, kindergarten teachers, and parents to help enhance children's transition to kindergarten.

Whether you print out the whole toolkit or just use the few pieces that will be most helpful for your particular situation, these practical and easy-to-use materials are intended to help steer educators and parents like you through the transitioning to kindergarten process.

Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators Index

Cover

Introduction

School Readiness (Introduction)

• • • • • Creating an "Early Learning Passport"
• Kindergarten Readiness Indicators Checklist
• Kindergarten Readiness Indicators: Observation and Activity Guide
• Drawing and Writing Sample Template

Get Ready to Read! (Introduction)

• How to Use the Screening Tool
• How to Score the Screening Tool
• What I Learned About This Child from the Screening Tool
• Skill-Building Activities
• Try the Free Online Version of the Screening Tool
• Order the Print Version of the Screening Tool

Parent Resources (Introduction) | Spanish

• Getting to Know My Child:A Guide for My Child's Kindergarten Teacher English | Spanish
• Get Ready To Read! Skill-Building Activities English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Language Development English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Learning and Thinking English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Beginning Reading English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Beginning Writing English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Numbers and Counting English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Physical Development English | Spanish
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten: Social and Emotional Development English | Spanish
• Next Steps: What to Do If You Are Concerned About Your Child's Literacy Development

Additional Transition Resources on the Web

Training Others to Use the Transitioning to Kindergarten Toolkit

• Guidelines
• PowerPoint Presentation

Related Information
Transition to Kindergarten: Policy Implications for Struggling Learners and Those Who May Be at Risk for Learning Disabilities (by The National Center for Learning Disabilities)

This report:

• Briefly reviews the relevant research, programs, and policies on kindergarten transition, especially as they pertain to struggling learners including those with learning disabilities;
• Identifies gaps in research, programs, and policies related to this population; and
• Recommends future policy directions to more adequately address the needs of children with suspected or identified learning disabilities.