Reducing Stress around the Transition to Kindergarten

Abstract

One school's exploration of a 6-month transition plan focusing on reducing common stressors experienced around the transition to Kindergarten. The plan was based on the study of Dr. Stuart Shanker's work around self-regulation and the impacts that stressors can have on a person's behaviour. It also considered Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the theory that higher needs will come in to focus once the lower, more basic needs (physiological and safety and security) are met. The focus group of the transition plan was the students and families of Year One learners (Junior Kindergarten) who were entering Kindergarten in the 2018-2019 school year. The redesigned plan identified and reduced common transitional stressors in an attempt to decrease stress and stress behaviours. The work also prioritized increasing confidence and feelings of safety and security by establishing deeper connections between the educators and families.