Children’s summer-to-fall transitions: The crucial need to prepare

NAEYC responds to the needs of parents and educators for more research-based Back to School resources during this time of year

(Washington) – Children need the support of teachers and families who understand how good transition practices ensure continuity in starting a new school year or moving from one developmental level to another. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides a new Back to School Toolkit of authentic, research-based resources that families, educators, and administrators can put to immediate use to help children experience smooth transitions this year.

NAEYC, the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children, has created an easy-to-use, comprehensive toolkit of articles, tips, book excerpts, videos, and more for teachers and caregivers, for parents and families, and for program administrators, faculty, and trainers. The resources help classroom teachers and caregivers develop appropriate transitions for children into new learning environments, foster positive relationships with families, and emphasize the critical importance of using play in learning. Parents and families will gain the support they need to enhance children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, especially in vital areas of language and literacy, mathematics, and health and fitness. Administrators, faculty, and trainers will find ideas and resources for preparing teachers to create a developmentally appropriate context for learning and advocacy in their settings.

“NAEYC is committed to all the dedicated adults who work on behalf of young children. Our Back to School Toolkit is just one way we highlight the work we do year-round to ensure that children from infancy to third grade are receiving the highest quality care and education,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “Children, parents, and teachers understand that transitioning can be stressful, and NAEYC has rich resources to make certain that no one goes into this time period unprepared.”

Many of the toolkit’s resources are taken from NAEYC’s two award-winning publications, Young Children and Teaching Young Children. Young Children is NAEYC’s peer-reviewed professional journal published bimonthly, and Teaching Young Children is a magazine created to provide useful, research-based ideas that preschool teachers can use in their classrooms. Both publications are offered as an NAEYC membership benefit. Other content in the Back to School Toolkit is part of NAEYC’s continuous effort to provide professional development opportunities and resources for those who work for and with young children and their families.

For the full toolkit, visit www.naeyc.org/back-to-school.

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