B u t t e r ß i e s G o L e t t i n g M y

1 Every year in late spring, our class watches as caterpillars become pupa, then turn into butterflies. We release them outdoors during the last week of the school year. This activity symbolizes the children's growth during the past year and the new adventures that will lie ahead when they go to kindergarten. Saying good-bye to a class of preschoolers is emotional for all involved children, teachers, and families. The process begins in spring as children start talking about their summer plans and what lies ahead. Preparation for this important transition needs to unfold gently with increasing emphasis as the last day of the program year approaches.

2 This article provides activities and tips that can help everyone say meaningful good-byes and move on to experience REBECCA ANLAS. success in kindergarten and beyond. Helping children Debora Jones At the end of the school year, teach- ers can help children move on in many Letting My ways, whether they are off to kindergar- ten in a new school or the next class in the same program.. Cope with feelings Butterflies Go Acknowledge your feelings and the children's feelings about moving on to kindergarten. Let the children know you will miss them and that they Helping Children Move on are welcome to come back and visit.

3 Offer familiar activities, such as to Kindergarten using playdough and hammering at the workbench, that let children release tension. FOR THE PRESCHOOL PROFESSIONAL 21. and what will be different. Answer the children's questions during the discus- When a new child is joining your class during the program year, sion and as they arise. t 4 IBSF JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU UIF DIJME BOE IJT PS IFS JOUFSFTUT XJUI UIF DMBTT . Schedule one or several visits to t "TL UIF DIJMESFO IPX UIFZ DBO IFMQ UIF DIJME GFFM XFMDPNF the new school or classroom. Take photographs to post in the classroom t 6TF UIF CVEEZ TZTUFN UP QBJS UIF DIJME XJUI B DIJME XIP UFOET UP CF PVU.

4 And to share with families. going and helpful. t 1 MBZ iHFUUJOH UP LOPX ZPVw BDUJWJUJFT UIBU GPDVT PO OBNFT BOE JOUFSFTUT . like singing songs that include children's names or charting favorite fruits. Helping families with the transition Plan extra time for movement, Play games that encourage Near the end of the year, write a dancing, and physical play indoors remembering. For example, at circle letter to families thanking them for the and outside. time roll a ball to each child and say, privilege of sharing some of their child's Tell us about something you like to do growing time. Suggest ways families Read and discuss books in which can help their children cope with their at school.

5 Fill a basket with items from the characters adjust to new situa- feelings about going to kindergarten the classroom (block, paintbrush, tions and changes in their lives. Use (see Message in a Backpack, p. 23). puzzle piece, and such). Ask each child the books to start conversations about to choose an object from the basket and what it will be like to move on to Many preschoolers have concerns tell how he or she played with it during kindergarten. about moving on to kindergarten. They the year. Share the children's responses Provide puppets and dramatic with families so they can talk with their worry that they won't have friends, play props children can use to act out children too.

6 Won't like the teacher, will get lost, and make sense of their feelings about won't be able to do the work, and so Revisit photos taken throughout on. Teachers can help by acknowl- moving on. Encourage children to draw the year. Create a bulletin board edging everyone's feelings, providing and write about going to kindergarten. display or make copies of the photos so information about the new setting, and children can make memory books to spending plenty of time reminding chil- .. Remember the good times take home. dren that they are competent learners Talk with children individually Make a Friend, Friend, Who Do who will be successful kindergartners.

7 And in small groups about their positive memories and what they You See? book (based on Bill Martin Jr learned during the year. Remind them and Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, about the skills they have developed. In What Do You See? ) in the winter. Include SUPPORTING DUAL. the late spring I might make comments one child's photo on each page and a LANGUAGE LEARNERS. like, Your legs are getting so long they photo of yourself on the last. Above each photo write, [Child's name, child's Transitioning from preschool won't fit on the slide and climber. The to kindergarten, especially when it playground equipment at your new name], who do you see?

8 ; below each means entering public school for the school will be bigger. write, I see [next child shown] looking at first time, can be very stressful for me. Under your photo write, I see all dual language learners and their fami- the children looking at me. lies. Preschool teachers can pave the This book will be a favorite for way to success by helping families the rest of the year and a good one to understand all aspects of transition. read on the last day. When I get to the The new school may have differ- last page, I say, I see all the children ent rules and regulations related to In addition to sharing ideas from class placements and teaching for looking at me who I must say good-bye this article with families, sign to and who are off to wonderful new dual language learners.

9 Take spe- cial care to communicate to the new and make copies of the Message adventures.. school details about the children's in a Backpack on page 23. It's .. Learn about the new school skills in English and their home available online (in English and language. In addition to test results, Discuss again and again what observation notes provide very useful Spanish) at the children's new schools are like. information. Tell the children what will be the same 22 TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN VOL 3 NO 4.