The transition from kindergarten to school represents a significant step in a child’s life, marking the beginning of their formal school life. This stage is crucial for social, emotional and academic development, as children begin to interact with other children their age, follow routines and rules, and develop basic skills that will be the foundation for their future education.
“Students face a variety of challenges when transitioning from kindergarten to college, and each process is different for each child depending on their personality, strengths and weaknesses, support network, and environment,” says Kristine Ertl, director of and of .
According to the expert, in general terms, “the main challenges include integrate socially, manage a balance between school and home, ensure their emotional well-being, assume more responsibility for their learningand strengthen their independence and self-regulation.” This is where, according to Kristine, “schools have a fundamental role, since they need to implement strategies that make this transition process for the child a pleasant and effective experience.”
To ensure a successful transition, Kristine shares five essential keys that every school should consider:
- Joint work between school and home: According to the expert, this involves both parties working together to identify and meet the needs of the student, communicate observations and strategies, and be flexible and understanding. This relationship can be fostered by inviting families to participate in workshops and activities, sharing teaching strategies, and responding to the unique needs of each family and child.
- Support network: The school should have a diverse, proactive and professional support network to anticipate and respond to students’ needs, she says. This should include teachers and professionals in social-emotional support, occupational therapy, speech therapy and academic support in math, English and Spanish, among other areas.
- Managing social interactions: “After the pandemic and with the impact of technology, social interactions have become more difficult for schools,” says Kristine. For the teacher, it is crucial that schools facilitate the creation of strong relationships between students and teach values such as empathy, resilience and acceptance. “During the first days and weeks of school, they should focus on building inclusive communities and fostering peer relationships, even more than on complying with the academic curriculum,” she emphasizes.
- Adapting to the changing needs of children: Because each generation is different and requires a different approach, “schools should not apply the same strategies every year and expect the same results,” she says. In this process, “teachers must listen to children and understand their real needs. Although this requires time and trained staff, it is worth it when students are happy, adapted and progress in their learning and personal development,” she says.
- Promote adaptive skills and a balanced lifestyle: Much of this cannot be done in the school context alone, so it is vital that schools foster healthy relationships between students and their families as well, and provide guidance where necessary to replicate these good relationships both in and outside the educational environment. To do this, “schools can develop workshops to support families, striving to open the doors to communication as much as possible,” she concludes.
These strategies are essential to ensure that the transition from kindergarten to school is a positive and effective process, where every detail in the school environment contributes to the comprehensive development of children, paving the way for a successful academic and personal future.
