Transitions & Getting Ready for School

When your child is transitioning into daycare, preschool, or kindergarten, either from home or from another program, parents are often anxious about how to provide a smooth transition.  When your child also has a hearing loss, there are additional concerns about how your child will do and whether his needs are going to be supported appropriately.

Knowing what your child’s needs are and identifying appropriate resources available in various settings can help you find a good match between your child’s individual needs and the program.

It is important to visit programs and imagine your child in that setting.  BC Family Hearing Loss has a Transition package to help with your decision making (see Kindergarten Transition Package).  Hands & Voices also has a checklist for parents considering programs for their child with hearing loss at handsandvoices.org/pdf/parent_checklist.pdf

Talking with other parents who have gone through similar transitions is useful.  BC Family Hearing Resource Centre’s Newsletter Reaching Out features articles for and by parents about transitioning experiences (see Resources)

Staying involved once you have made a decision is critical for successful transitions.  The information you can share about your child is invaluable to teachers and those providing support.