Making the transition from preschool to kindergarten is an exciting and challenging time for both children and families. Early education providers play an important role in ensuring a successful transition experience. Virginia Beach GrowSmart is here to help! In partnership with Virginia Beach City Public Schools, the Virginia Beach Public Library, YMCA-Early Discoveries, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, and area preschool providers, GrowSmart has developed a working model for transition planning. We provide free professional development workshops for early education providers and kindergarten teachers, host family information sessions, and have created a transition checklist and accompanying resources to help ensure preschoolers develop the skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn.
If you are a preschool director who would like to participate in the kindergarten transitions program, or you would like additional information, please contact Virginia Beach GrowSmart at (757) 385-0144 or by email at VBGrowsmart@vbgov.com.
Each year, GrowSmart offers free professional development workshops for early education providers and kindergarten teachers on a variety of topics related to kindergarten transitions. Find topics and resources below from past sessions, and check back here often for upcoming trainings.
Fall 2012: Emotional Literacy with “the parenting doctor,” Dr. Ann Corwin
Spring 2013: Oral Language
Fall 2013: Math & Science in the Early Childhood Classroom
Summer 2014: “Pocket Full of Feelings” with Dr. Ann Corwin
Virginia Beach GrowSmart’s Kindergarten Transition Checklist was designed to raise awareness by preschool teachers, directors, and parents of preschoolers about the skills and proficiencies an entering kindergartener in Virginia Beach needs to master prior to kindergarten. Virginia Beach GrowSmart developed this tool in conjunction with master teachers and administrators from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and local early childhood education experts.
Two to three times during the preschool year, preschool teachers assess students’ mastery of the skills on the checklist, using the indicators “Always,” “Sometimes,” and “Not Yet.” Preschool teachers can use the checklist as a resource to assist with instructional planning, to meet and respond to individual student needs, and to ensure each student enters kindergarten prepared for success.
The checklist is also intended to serve as a parent education tool. Kindergarten today looks much different from what many adults experienced, and parents are often surprised at what their children are expected to know and be able to do before beginning the kindergarten year. The checklist and accompanying resources can assist parents not only with understanding these expectations but also with supporting their children’s development of key skills and competencies at home. Results are meant to be shared with parents throughout the year, not as a grade or evaluation, but as a way to open the conversation about the various skills that constitute “kindergarten readiness” in Virginia Beach and how parents can support readiness at home. You can download the checklist and accompanying resources below. If your preschool wishes to be part of our ongoing project to assess kindergarten readiness throughout the city, please contact GrowSmart at: VBGrowSmart@vbgov.com or by calling: (757) 385-0144. Preschools receive additional resources in exchange for participation.
Downloads
: Bringing together City, Schools, and the Community for a common mission.
GrowSmart’s mission is to promote and improve the healthy development, school readiness, and reading proficiency of young children, ages 0-8, in Virginia Beach.
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