Hosted by Dr Helen Bradford, this webinar will consider how early years educators can support children to have a positive experience of transition.

Stability is vital in a child’s early years, yet change is unavoidable for many young children who will undergo a number of emotional and environmental transitions before they even reach school age. This session considers how early years educators can support children to have a positive experience of transition which does not hinder the child’s wellbeing, learning, or development. By managing transition carefully, a child’s process of adjustment can be reassuring for both children and their families.

The session further links the development of patterns of behaviour that children can draw on throughout life that will impact and support successful transition, for example resilience and perseverance. Finally, the effective management of emotions through reflection as their cognitive skills develop is explored. Links will be made throughout to the new EYFS Statutory Framework (DfE, 2021), particularly PSED and the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

This session will enable the participant to:
• Understand fully what the term transition means for a child from birth to 5 years old.
• Consider the early years setting’s role in supporting successful transition.
• Explore children and their parents/carers’ perceptions of transition, understanding how to value and actively involve all parties in the process.
• Consider how the development of patterns of behaviour such as resilience in children will support effective transition within and beyond the early years setting.
• Consider a robust framework for transition in the early years setting, through the development of effective policy.

This webinar will be held over two sessions as follows:
• Session 1 - 9th May - 4pm-5.30pm
• Session 2 - 16th May - 4pm-5.30pm.