Transitions in early childhood can feel like standing at the edge of a new wave—full of excitement, uncertainty, and opportunity. Whether a child is moving from Early Intervention to preschool special education services or transitioning from ECSE to kindergarten, families often look to early childhood professionals for guidance, reassurance, and support.
Educators and service providers play an important role in helping families navigate these changes with confidence. By planning ahead, building strong partnerships, and encouraging meaningful family participation, we can help children experience smoother, more successful transitions.
🤿 Planning Together Creates Smoother Transitions
Successful transitions begin with collaboration. Families, educators, early intervention practitioners, and school staff all bring valuable knowledge about a child’s strengths, needs, and interests as a child transitions to new programs. Open communication and shared planning help families feel informed and connected throughout the process.
Professionals can support families by:
- Sharing information about school expectations, routines, and services, and practicing rules like walking feet, nice hands, sharing, or cleaning up after play
- Explaining transition timelines and important meetings, such as transition meetings, eligibility, or IEP meetings
- Creating brochures, one-pagers, or visual supports to help families prepare for what to expect in different programs
- Encouraging visits to new classrooms or programs before the transition, or sharing pictures with families of the classroom to share with children at home
When families understand what to expect, transitions often feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
🪣 Encouraging Family Voice and Participation
Families are essential members of the transition team. Encouraging active participation helps families feel empowered and supported during decision-making processes.
Professionals can:
- Encourage families to ask questions during meetings and provide space for families to talk about their goals for their children
- Explain the special education process and family rights in family-friendly language
- Connect families with others who have experienced similar transitions
- Invite families to share their child’s strengths, interests, routines, and needs
Helping families recognize the value of their voice strengthens partnerships and promotes more individualized planning for children.
🐚 Supporting Families Through the IEP Process
Transition meetings and IEP planning can sometimes feel intimidating for families. Early childhood professionals can help by making the process more approachable and collaborative.
Consider reminding families that they can:
- Help develop goals and discuss educational supports for their child
- Invite trusted providers or teachers to transition meetings to talk about student strengths
- Share strategies that work well for their child in other settings
- Ask questions about placement options and services
Providing reassurance and clear communication can reduce stress and increase family confidence during planning meetings.
☀️ Preparing Children for the New Setting
Children often benefit from opportunities to become familiar with their new environment before the first day.
Professionals can encourage families to:
- Take trips to see the outside of a school or building over the summer, highlighting the playgrounds or the bus loop
- Meet teachers and support staff at the beginning of the year, sharing important details like medically related needs
- Practice routines that will be part of the school day like sitting at a table to eat during a meal without electronics or sitting and listening to a story read by an adult
- Read books about school experiences or look at pictures associated with school
- Talk positively about upcoming changes, expressing excitement about learning
Simple experiences, such as seeing the classroom, practicing transitions, or discussing bus rides, can help children feel more comfortable and prepared.
🌈 Transition Support Continues Beyond the First Day
Transition support does not end once a child starts preschool or kindergarten. Ongoing communication between families and educators helps children adjust and thrive in their new setting.
Families may benefit from creating a simple portfolio that includes:
- Their child’s interests and strengths
- Helpful supports or strategies
- Assessment information
- Current goals or IEP information
Sharing this information with the new team can support continuity and individualized planning and can be used year after year.
🏄♀️🏄 Riding the Waves Together
Every transition is a new beginning. With thoughtful planning, strong family partnerships, and responsive support, early childhood professionals can help families “catch the wave” of transition with confidence and hope.
By working together, we can ensure that transitions are not simply changes in placement—but opportunities for children and families to feel welcomed, included, and ready for what comes next.
🛟References
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (2026). Early intervention to preschool special education [Transition practice guide for families/Resource]. https://ectacenter.org/~pdfs/decrp/pgf-en/decrp-pgf-tr2-early-intervention-to-preschool-special-education.pdf
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (2026). Preschool special education to kindergarten [Transition practice guide for families/Resource]. https://ectacenter.org/~pdfs/decrp/pgf-en/decrp-pgf-tr3-preschool-special-education-to-kindergarten.pdf