Transition Kindergarten Information
ELC MISSION STATEMENT
The Liberty Christian Academy Early Learning Center
(ELC) exists to support parents and guardians in their Biblical responsibility to nurture
and train their children. Thus, the ELC provides a secure, loving, Christ-centered
environment focused on meeting each child’s social, academic, physical, and spiritual
needs within an active learning environment.
WHAT IS THE TRANSITION CLASS?
The LCA Early Learning Center Transition class is designed for
children who are chronologically old enough for kindergarten but
whose parents have chosen for their child, based on teacher
input, the gift of another year of development prior to elementary
school.
WHY WOULD MY CHILD BENEFIT
FROM THE TRANSITION CLASS?
Transition provides an intentional learning space for children to develop social,
emotional, physical, and academic skills with developmentally
appropriate instruction. It prepares students for the social and academic
expectations of traditional Kindergarten, reducing the likelihood of future grade
retention, and setting students up for social and academic success as they move
on to elementary school.
HOW IS TRANSITION DIFFERENT?
The Transition classroom environment differs from a traditional
kindergarten class because it includes many more opportunities for
social-emotional development, fine-and gross-motor activities,
ongoing language development, and complex social play. The
Transition class accomplishes these objectives through dramatic
play time, small group instruction, and project-based learning.
WHY WOULD WE CONSIDER
TRANSITION FOR OUR CHILD?
Here are some questions to consider:
• How well does your child separate from you or a trusted
caregiver?
• How well does your child handle conflict with peers?
• How well can your child sit still in a group situation?
• How well does your child transition from one activity to
another?
• How well can your child take care of him/herself?
IS THERE ANY RESEARCH THAT SUPPORTS
TRANSITION KINDERGARTEN?
Meisels, 1999; Morrison, Alberts & Griffith, 1997: In 2015 Review of Research
• Developmental theory suggests that biological maturation provides an added advantage for learning in a
classroom setting.
• If children are too immature to function in a classroom at kindergarten, this disadvantage could persist
over the course of their schooling through a cascade of negative outcomes such as anxiety or
underachievement.
• There is a statistically significant positive association between redshirting and gifted status, and
between third grade math and reading scores.
RESEARCH CONTINUED
2014 study by Kelli Dougan on parental perspective of “redshirting” kindergartners:
Reasons given by parents for choosing a
Transition program:
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Older is better
Maturity in Kindergarten
Developmentally Behind Peers
Recommended by School
Maturity in High School
When their child could drive a car
Age at College Entry
No rush to send to school
Parental Responses for Effects of Transition
program
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Reading scores
Math scores
Overall grades
Dealing with friends
Confidence
Behavior in school
Dealing with Negative Social Situations
Sports
KINDERGARTEN REDSHIRTING:
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS