A wide range of programs and philosophies exist in early childhood education, sometimes making the transition to kindergarten and primary grades difficult. Describes efforts by the Southern Region Prekindergarten Project in three southern Illinois counties to make transitions smoother, including teacher exchange and communication among…

Examined relationship between extra-year programs and later school achievement among 95 children who were either retained in kindergarten, placed in transition classroom, recommended for extra-year program but went to first grade, or advanced to first grade without reservation. Found that children retained performed significantly lower on…

This issue of the "NCEDL Spotlights" describes the content of a new book, "The Transition to Kindergarten," based on a national transitions synthesis conference sponsored by the National Center for Early Development and Learning. The document delineates the chapter topics and describes four trends expected to have significant effect on the…

The practice of delaying students' entrance into kindergarten raises several questions. This literature review asks: (1) How does the entrance age of kindergarten children affect academic achievement?; (2) Do age-eligible older students perform better academically than younger students?; (3) Do year-older or "red-shirted" students have…

This response to the articles by Brewer and Uphoff on transitional programs in this issue addresses two questions: (1) Do transition classes protect children? (2) Do transition classes assist in school improvement? (BG)

Lists nine criteria for extra-year programs that would satisfy many proponents and opponents of such programs. (BG)

Describes demographic and structural features of kindergarten classrooms using data from the National Center for Early Development and Learning's Transition Practices Survey of kindergarten teachers. Explores teachers' education and experience, and their training on facilitating transitions to kindergarten. Also discusses teacher and student…

This booklet provides a statement of the position of two collaborating associations on education appropriate for kindergarten children. Contents focus on: (1) aspects of children's growth and physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development; (2) ways in which young children learn; and (3) curriculum, including language arts, reading,…

Discusses the maturationist, behaviorist, and cognitive interactionist views of transitional programs. Research on transitional programs and possible effects of such programs on kindergarten and first grade classes is discussed. (BG)

Extra-year school readiness programs, which serve as "developmental kindergartens" or "junior first grades," are well-intentioned transition programs between kindergarten and first grade that are intended to serve children judged to be at risk for early school failure. Despite their good intentions, these programs are…

Comparison of "Distar Reading Mastery" and Addison Wesley's "Superkids" beginning reading programs with 81 children in transitional kindergarten special education classes found no significant differences at the end of the treatment year or at one-year follow-up. However, among children making the most gains, the Distar group…

Used national sample of 3,595 public and 176 private kindergarten teachers to obtain information regarding teachers' practices related to the transition of children into first grade. Found that over half used some form of transition practice, with more private school teachers using transition practices than public school teachers. Teacher- or…

A collaborative research project was undertaken to design, implement, and conduct research on interventions to improve transition to kindergarten. Preliminary results indicate three themes characterizing collaboration: participants have different views of transition practices; parents and teachers in preschool share mutually positive views of one…

The early elementary teacher must find a reasonable solution to the question of how to best meet the needs of incoming 5-year-olds. This study reviews recent research on the academic and emotional needs of young students and on existing programs dealing with school readiness. Brief annotations are presented for 54 research articles. These articles…

Examines ways to help boys and afternoon attenders to experience as positive a start to nursery education as girls and morning attenders. Highlights adults' key role in helping children develop personal and social skills and the need for home/school partnership. Discusses the implications of gender for play and classroom organization. (nine…