PREFACE
When transitions are viewed as opportunities for continuous learning and growth, Head Start families and staff can guide a young child's next steps together-as partners-in-learning. As their child's first teacher, parents are key to successful early transitions when they:
· Understand the importance of effective transitions in the lives of children and families
· Prepare and support their child before and during transitions
· Learn from others about the new settings by forming ongoing, supportive alliances with other parents and staff
· Advocate for their own child and for all children
Understanding and supporting continuous change and development that children and families experience beginning at birth and continuing throughout the child's life requires information and skills. This guide focuses on the transitions in the early school years. Many of the skills involved in this process are acquired, along with experience, over time. The best lessons are often learned from others in a variety of settings by sharing, observing, practicing, and receiving feedback from friends, family, and trusted staff.This technical guide is the third in a series of transition training guides. It is designed to assist both parents and staff in developing skills that support the Head Start Program Performance Standards related to transitions. The guide encourages active learning interaction and partnering through guided hands-on activities and tools based upon real life transition situations. Since partnering is at the core of this guide, Head Start managers can use these materials for joint training and parent and staff development. Just as parents hold a child's hand and offer assurances about a new teacher, caregiver, sibling, home, or school, this training guide invites families and staff to join hands as learning partners who support each other's development. With key information, skills, and supportive relationships, parents and staff can open the doors to successful transitions.