The Transition to Elementary School: A Framework for Creating Early Childhood Continuity Through Home, School, and Community Partnerships

Abstract

This article focuses on a framework that supports continuity in early childhood, which in turn smoothes young children's transitions, including the transition to elementary school. The framework consists of 8 elements including families as partners, shared leadership, comprehensive and responsive services, culture and home language, communication, knowledge and skill development, appropriate care and education, and evaluation of partnership success. A national field study of the framework is summarized. Structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 36 home, school, and community partnerships. Educators and other community participants alike agreed that appropriate elements were used to define continuity in early childhood. The study made clear that materials on transition and collaborative partnerships should be family-centered, address the concerns of practitioners and parents in a language they understand, and support adaptation to diverse community contexts.