The transition to Kindergarten is one of the most significant transitions that a young child experiences in his or her formative years. What happens may lay the foundation for a child’s adjustment to and future success in school. The transition to Kindergarten is much more than a one-time event. It is a journey that takes time, preparation, and advanced planning.
Community partners joined forces to host a second Kindergarten Transition Summit (KTS) for Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison County. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the committee behind the summit gathered a vast number of resources for local educations and parents, including 300 packets being distributed throughout individuals the three-county area.
This year's Kindergarten Transition Summit Committee was led by Madison-Oneida BOCES, which consists of United Way of the Mohawk Valley, Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dolgeville Central School, NYSB5, Rome City School District, and SUNY Polytechnic.
We are here to support our community's children during this COVID-19 health crisis. Children thrive with structure in their lives, and they learn best through play— even in everyday moments.
Now, anyone can access all the digital resources, tools, and guides that were included in the KTS packets! The resources below include tools to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and guide parents and caregivers.
Parents are also invited to join us for a free interactive webinar on December 1, 2020.
FREE Virtual Learning Opportunity for Parents
Madison-Oneida BOCES and United Way's R4K Committee hosted a free interactive webinar to learn important information about helping children transition into a variety of new and possibly unfamiliar environments in 2020.
During this session, we shared tools on how to make children more comfortable with new situations. Plus, we focused on increasing compliance and skills for children at home, at school, or virtually, such as listening, attendance, following directions, turn-taking, and sharing.
Click here to check out the recording of this special session!
Sponsored by: NYSB5 Grant, Madison Oneida BOCES, United Way's R4K Committee, Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNYPoly, and multiple local school districts.
Resources for Parents and Early Childhood Professionals
Resources for Development
14 Books for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool Childhood Development (.pdf)
Helping Children Make Transitions Between Activities Guide (.pdf)
Helping Children Understand Routines and Schedules Guide (.pdf)
Rebuilding the Pyramid: Reconnecting After a Break (.pdf)
Starters for Giving Feedback and Encouragement Guide (.pdf)
Positive Solutions for Families: 6 video sessions by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Childcare Council (website with links to videos)
VROOM
Text Option Details (.pdf)
App Option Details (.pdf)
Brain Building Basics Activity (.pdf)
Resources for Feelings and Emotions
First-aid for Feelings Activity Book (.pdf)
Behavior Expectations: Strategy and Poster (.pdf)
Emotional Literacy: Feeling Faces Activity (.pdf)
Emotional Piggy Bank Activity (.pdf)
Expressing Warmth and Affection Guide (.pdf)
Guide to Helping Young Children Heal After A Crisis (.pdf)
Guide to Teaching Your Child to Express Emotions (.pdf)
Help Us Calm Down: Strategies for Children Poster (.pdf)
Teaching Emotions: Activity Ideas for Families (.pdf)
Children and Masks
Helping Children Understand Emotions When Wearing Masks Guide (.pdf)
Wearing Masks Story Activity (.pdf)
Interactive Websites for Parents and Children
Sesame Street: Caring For Each Other (website)
PBS Kids (website)
CommonSense.org (website)
BrazeltonTouchPoints.org (website)
CDC.gov (website)
Other resources
Unemployment Insurance Assistance (website)
WHO: Coping with Stress Guide (website)
WHO: Helping Children Cope with Stress Guide (website)
NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314
Child Care Council at Cornell Cooperative Extension: 315-223-7850 x222 or x233 or earlycareandlearning@cornell.edu.