4 Message from the CEO
Michelle Kang
8 Latest News
10 Celebrating NAEYC’ s Centennial
12 Professional Journeys
Grace Luy
15 Advice for Guiding Children’ s Behavior
16 Advocacy in Action
18 Affiliate Network News
20
Strengthening the“ Self” in Self-Regulation in Pre-K and Kindergarten A Bridge to Lifelong Learning Barbara Wilder-Smith, Elena Bodrova, and Deborah J. Leong
28
Supporting Multilingual Children Easing the Transition to Kindergarten Karen Nemeth, Christina M. Cassano, Karen Christie-Ward, and Lea Ann Christenson
34
Building Bridges Toward Success Strategies for Seamless Kindergarten Transitions Lori L. Blake, Jennie Morrell, and Leslie Barone
The Preschool-to- Kindergarten Transition
Spring 2026 • Volume 2 No 1
44
Supporting Children with Disabilities Through the Preschool-to-Kindergarten Transition What School and District Leaders Can Do Stevie Makres, Taylor Weber, and Emily Holtz
50
5X. Strategies to Support Families Creating Partnerships for the Shift to Kindergarten Rebekah Benedum
54
Message in a Backpack™ Guiding Your Child from Preschool to Kindergarten: Five Tips for Families Mary Hewitt
56 Ask HELLO
How Do You Support Children’ s Transitions from Preschool to Kindergarten?
In the Next Issue
Published four times a year, each issue of Educating Young Children offers an engaging digital experience that puts professional knowledge and community connection at your fingertips. The Summer 2026 issue will focus on Teaching for Children’ s Health, Well-Being, and Expression. It will include articles that offer research-backed, developmentally appropriate strategies for engaging children, families, and communities in dynamic learning experiences.