Early Learning Project
February 2010 Moving from Early Intervention to PreK: What Parents and Caregivers Want to KnowFelicia Fahl GoolerChange is hard. Even the most positive transition can bring feelings of uncertainty and doubt. Yet transitions can be well-timed opportunities for reflecting on the past and designing goals for the future. For families of young children with special needs, the transition between Early Intervention (EI) and the world of early childhood can be daunting. The methods of service delivery in the two settings are very different. In EI, the focus of intervention is the child within the family, using a relationship-based model. In early childhood, the focus shifts to the child within the community of learners, using an education-based model. Successful transitions engage parents and caregivers in developing the transition team, focusing on strengths to identify goals and challenges, sharing information between families and the sending and receiving programs, preparing the child for change, monitoring the child’s and family’s experiences, and evaluating the transition process. The result of a successful transition is smooth placement of the child in the most appropriate environment. This “Ask an Expert” event will address the issues and challenges of the transition process and discuss guidelines and best practices for families and professionals in planning collaborative, dynamic, and responsive transitions.
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