Transition & the importance of play
Play helps children to feel safe and secure in new environments which contributes to successful transitions.
WATCH
2 min
CURRICULUM
Early Years Learning Framework Links (EYLF):
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
NSW Syllabus Links:
Communicates with peers and known adults in informal and guided activities demonstrating emerging skills of grouping interaction. (ENe-1A)
Composes simple texts to convey an idea or message. (ENe-2A)
Uses objects, actions, technology and/or trial and error to explore mathematical problems. (MAe-2WM)
Uses concrete materials and/or pictorial representations to support conclusions. (MAe-3WM)
Transition advice from NESA
FAMILIES
READ
2 min
Play is important to a successful transition.
Play helps children feel safe and is an aspect of school transition that gives children the opportunity to develop the social skills needed for school success.
Being able to choose what to play and who to play with, develops personal responsibility, and gives children time to practise and consolidate their skills in working with others.
Through play children learn to:
- emotionally regulate
- be creative
- be resilient
- cooperate
- collaborate
- solve problems
- develop their language, social skills and communication
Play encourages children to:
- move more
- develop physical skills
- increase their confidence
Through familiar activities, children are able to develop and
harness critical skills that are foundational in fostering their
confidence making for successful transitions.
EXPLORE
10 min
Some ideas for learning in the everyday
- Reading, writing and telling stories
- Playing with other children
- Making mistakes, fighting with other children and having help to resolve differences and making up
- Taking responsibility for household chores
- Choosing their preference from a range of healthy food options
- Increasing responsibility for themselves and their belongings
- Taking part in art and crafts
- Spending time outside and at the playground
- Finding and having a chance to practise new physical challenges
- Learning ways to cope with tricky feelings
- Feeling safe to fail and try again
TEACHERS
REFLECT
30 min
Reflect on your knowledge and practice
Consider the EYLF, NSW Syllabus and LPs:
- Where have these children come from?
- Where are you taking them?
Think about the learning happens in your classroom that builds the knowledge and skills for a successful transition to the classroom.
What do you expect from the early learner?
What do you want parents to know about transition?
In what other settings might a child experience transition? (i.e.
not just from an ELC to K classroom)
How will you use transition to know more about a child’s
social readiness for school?
ENGAGE
45 min
Engage in a learning conversation with parents
Suggested conversation starters:
Is there anything in the video that challenged your thinking
about learning and the connection with transition?
What foundational skills do you see in the video that would
assist with a successful transition?
How are the children:
- Practising their skills?
- Testing their ideas?
- Building their knowledge?
Note: Opportunity to share what successful transitions looks like in your classroom. Also consider transitions that happen throughout the school day.
What opportunity can you create, or do you have at home that supports your child’s transition journey?