5 Ways Transitional Kindergarten Prepares Little Learners for Elementary School

As a parent, deciding if and when your little one is ready for the structure and content of a kindergarten classroom can be overwhelming. For young children, a small age difference of one to two years can mean a big difference in maturity and capability. 

That’s where transitional kindergarten comes in — it gives little learners (ages 4-5) developmentally appropriate opportunities to learn and grow, giving them solid footing for the transition to kindergarten and elementary school. To enroll in Linfield’s transitional kindergarten, your child should turn five years old by the end of February during the spring of their transitional kindergarten year. 

Here are five ways Linfield Christian School’s transitional kindergarten program will prepare your child for kindergarten and an elementary school environment.

Your little learner is soaking up so much information every day. From their home environment to the world around them, every moment is a learning opportunity. In transitional kindergarten, we tap into that innate curiosity and provide lots of hands-on activities that keep them learning and engaged while also helping them adapt to the routine of a classroom environment. 

Our transitional kindergarten is a full-day program, which gives our littlest Lions the chance to ease into an elementary school schedule. From engaging in activity centers to experiencing recess and attending chapel, they become familiar and comfortable with both the built-in structure and flexibility that comes with a private Christian school education. 

Being ready for kindergarten is about more than just reaching a certain age; it’s also about being developmentally ready. Transitional kindergarten can offer flexibility — whether that is giving your preschooler the continuity they need, or creating space and support for your child who is starting their first school experience.

Studies show that children can start learning social-emotional skills as early as three years of age, including responsibility, cooperation, and self-regulation. And children are great imitators, picking up positive reinforcement from peers, teachers, and parents. As you consider transitional kindergarten, look for an environment that mirrors values you’re modeling at home. 

At Linfield Christian School, we place a strong emphasis on language, listening, and communication skills. In transitional kindergarten, your child will practice sitting and paying attention for at least 10 minutes, sharing with friends, following directions, learning to raise their hand when they have a question, and taking turns.

Our transitional kindergarten students follow a kindergarten-level curriculum, which introduces them to the content and skills they’ll master over these next two years. 

Through hands-on activities, songs, movement, and learning centers, your child will be taught early math and literacy skills. This foundational curriculum is complemented by PE, Spanish, and performing and visual arts. Because of our small class sizes, individualized care and personalized attention are part of the everyday Linfield Christian experience. 

We’ll also keep you informed about what your child is learning. Throughout the year, you may log in to our academic scholastic platform, Big Day, which offers learning experiences and materials that support your child’s growth. Each of the eight units include weekly and daily lessons with whole-group learning activities, small group instruction, and learning centers. As you see what your child is learning, your family has the opportunity to engage with subject matter outside of the classroom. 

Our transitional kindergarten is grounded in Christian values and beliefs, keeping our Heavenly Father front-and-center in activities, lessons, and conversations. We dedicate time and space to study scripture and the Bible, including weekly chapel time. 

As our transitional kindergarten graduates move through elementary school, we continue  to instill in them the Christian values they’ll carry into middle school and beyond. They read, study, and apply scripture to their lives, and they have many opportunities to serve the Temecula community. 

Our 100-acre Temecula, California campus is structured so that our transitional kindergarten students have opportunities to connect with older students. From recess to chapel to Market Days and Move-Up Day, these interactions help get your child excited about what’s to come. 

Helping your child grow their familiarity with the classroom environment and curriculum can instill confidence as they step into kindergarten and beyond. Schedule a tour and see where your child can flourish in our transitional kindergarten program, or learn more in our Parent Info Packet.