Rebekah Benedum

The move from preschool to kindergarten introduces children and their families to new environments with different routines, activities, and expectations. While children may feel eager to explore new friendships and experiences, families often navigate feelings of anticipation and concern about how their child will adapt and how their family will adjust to the transition. This can be exacerbated by the more independent nature of kindergarten and a broader school system. Families may not receive the frequent updates and daily interactions that are common in preschool, which can make the transition feel even more significant.

In my role overseeing the early childhood programming at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning( CHS), I’ ve seen how preschool educators and administrators can support families through this shift. The following are five strategies that you can use in partnership with the families in your setting.

50 Educating Young Children

Spring 2026