These are a few of the many transition practices to help better prepare children for elementary school and increase the involvement of parents and families in the transition planning process. Characteristics of successful transitions Successful transitions have a positive long-lasting effect on children's ability to learn and the relationship between home and school for parents. Successful transitions occur when children are well prepared about what to expect and excited about learning and parents are active participants in the education process at home and school. Ingredients for Successful Transitions Good preparation of children, families, and schools for elementary school. Successful transitions throughout schooling Children have good feelings about school, teachers, parents, and peers.
Children show good progress in physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.
Parents and key adults express positive attitudes toward school and promote children's learning. Mutually supportive relationships occur among families, school personnel, service providers, communities. Craig Ramey, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Reprinted with permission from Education Week . 18, No. 34, May 5, 1999.