MOVING ON UPMOVING ON UP MOVING ON UPMOVING ON UP

Transition To Kindergarten For Young Transition To Kindergarten For Young Children With Special NeedsChildren With Special Needs

Vermont Family NetworkVermont Family Networkwithwith

Department of EducationDepartment of EducationEssential Early Education (EEE)Essential Early Education (EEE)

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Transitions Happen Every Day

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Elements of Successful Transition

• Transition research tells us:– Not one size fits all– Family involvement is critical

to success– All stakeholders are identified

and involved

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Moving to a new setting

• kindergarten with peers

• part of the school community

• IEP services received at school

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What Families Say & Do

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What Helps?• In January before my daughter transitioned to

kindergarten I met with her preschool teacher, one of the kindergarten teachers, and the school principal. We discussed her current abilities and what we anticipated her needs to be once she went to kindergarten. Then in April I visited the kindergarten classroom. My daughter also visited that spring with her preschool class. Our visits and meetings with the teacher helped me to feel more confident that things would go smoothly for my daughter.

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Sharing Information

• Likes, dislikes

• Strengths, learning needs

• Health, medical needs

• Hopes and dreams

• Concerns, questions

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What Others SayKindergarten teacher

Prior contact with the family and school staff is very important as is the needs for communication between EEE and the school. Think about having the EEE students come to the school for a spring picnic.

PrincipalWhat we have to understand about schooling is the

central importance of relationships. The best transition activities are those that foster strong relationships among parents, teachers, and children.

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What Others Say

Special EducatorThe sooner we know the family the better. I

can’t stress that enough.

KidsIf she’s (EEE teacher) not coming to

Kindergarten with me. I’m not going!

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Some thoughts to keep in mind.....

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A Transition Planning Model:

The TEAM Approach

GUIDELINE ONE 

Provide families with information, support

and opportunities

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TEAM APPROACH

GUIDELINE TWO

Plan the transition from EEE to kindergarten.

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TEAM APPROACH

GUIDELINE THREE

Provide children with opportunities to learn

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TEAM APPROACH

GUIDELINE FOUR

Schools are ready for child’s arrival

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TEAM APPROACH

GUIDELINE FIVE

Provide services to support the IEP

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The Transition Plan

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Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Transition Practices

• Family-school connections– Connecting families to community resources

• Child-school connections– Connecting with the kindergarten teacher

• Peer connections– Connecting with peers outside of school

• Community– Connecting with others in school about the

chld

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Getting ready for kindergarten

What are the possibilities?

• Open house for kindergarten families

• Visits to the kindergarten classroom

• Kindercamp during the summer

• Special day for kindergarten registration

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So what are schools required to do in order to ensure a smooth transition

for a child?

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IEP team shall meet three to six months prior to your child’s entrance into kindergarten.

In addition to the current IEP team members which includes the parents, the receiving kindergarten

teacher, and special educator or LEA representative shall be invited to

attend the transition meeting.

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IEP team shall ensure that the IEP is ready to be implemented at the beginning of the new school year.

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IEP Considerations may include

• Appropriate LRE placement• Updated goals/objectives as warranted• Specialized instruction

(frequency/duration)• Related services (frequency/duration)• Transportation options/concerns• Necessary accommodations and adaptive

equipment• Staff training

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QUESTIONS?