Every year, children and families transition into and out of your program. Whether moving from home to an early education program or from one early education setting to another, transition presents children and families with opportunities and challenges. Transitioning to a new environment can be exciting and interesting, but also challenging and stressful. Collaborating with families to create well-planned, respectful practices can help make transition a positive experience for all children and families, as well as for you and others who work with them.

During the course of a child’s life, change is inevitable. Families move, siblings are born, school begins and, consequently, transitions happen. Knowing about children’s development can help us understand how children respond to transition. In addition, when program staff collaborate with families, they can learn how individual children experience change. Staff can also learn how to help children feel secure and comfortable during transition.

Learn strategies to communicate and collaborate with other ECE programs, elementary schools, and community stakeholders. This brief identifies ways programs can promote continuity between programs.

The transition from home to an early education program, or from one program to another, is a major event in children’s lives. Moving from a familiar to an unfamiliar environment can be exciting but also challenging for young children and their families. Program policies and practices can facilitate smooth transitions and a sense of continuity for children and families across old and new settings.