The kids in transition to school program

Abstract

Because the period of transition at the beginning of kindergarten can potentially impact an individual's overall development, preventive intervention at the transition to kindergarten could have long-lasting and widespread impacts on the lives of children and their families. In this chapter, we present the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Program, an evidence-based preventive intervention designed to capitalize on the period of the transition into kindergarten in preparing high-risk children for school. KITS features components for both children and parents. The program has specific foci on developing children's early academic, social, and self-regulation skills and increasing parents' school engagement and the use of positive parenting practices. KITS teachers and parent group facilitators are trained in evidence-based techniques important for teaching individuals new skills with a particular focus on teaching social-emotional skills. KITS has been tested in three randomized clinical trials. Results have demonstrated that the program positively affects children's academic and self-regulation skills as well as parents' use of consistent parenting techniques and school involvement. Effects of KITS have also been demonstrated at a neurobiological level. Finally, the effects of KITS appear to persist at least until the third grade, 4 years after the completion of the program.