Enhancing Young Children’s Competencies in the Transition Period from Kindergarten to Elementary School

Abstract

Young children’s competencies refer to young children’s abilities to do things intuitively at their ages. While competencies of children from birth to age 5 are developed naturally, those of first graders are more complicated as they are mastery skills transferable to other situations. The transition period from kindergarten to elementary grade is thus a big change for first graders both in classroom teaching and learning and in school environment. To enhance first graders to develop their competencies in the transition period smoothly, early childhood and early elementary schools professionals need to have knowledge and understanding of how to organize teaching and learning activities. Organizing activities and games emphasizing knowledge transfer, learning by doing, and continuous practice are suggested to help first graders to develop habits and skills or competencies.