A Two-Generational Approach to Promoting a Successful Transition to Kindergarten

The kindergarten transition is a time when both children and parents face changes in routines, environments, and peers. The new cognitive and behavioral expectations for children at school may also require enhanced parenting skills. Thus, programming to support the transition to kindergarten for children requires a two-generational approach. This chapter describes the Kids In Transition to School (KITS) Program, an intervention designed to help both children and parents gain the essential skills necessary to make a positive transition to kindergarten. For children, this includes academic and social-emotional skills. For parents, this includes skills to support children's learning at home and school as well as positive parenting skills. Evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials and a large-scale implementation shows positive effects on both children and parents. Future directions for research are also explored.