Barns övergång från förskola till skola

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the parents’ perspectives of children’s transitions from preschool to school (preschool class and recreation centre) in two Swedish municipalities. The aim was also to investigate the importance of transition activities from the parents’ perspectives. In this study, a transition is understood as a mesosystem, a discontinuity and a non-linear process. A questionnaire with close-ended questions in paper form was constructed and distributed to the parents with the help of the heads and teachers. 131 parents, whose children had recently moved from preschool to school, received the questionnaire, while 70 parents answered it. The data was statistically analysed. The results showed that i) the parents, with few exceptions, experienced children’s transitions as safe and well-functioning, ii) about half of the parents felt some concern or concern in conjunction with the children’s transitions, iii) the parents of children in need of extra support and/or extra stimulation and challenges felt some concern or were concerned more often and iv), overall, the parents considered transition activities to be important. The study has relevance for staff working in preschools and schools, heads and teachers in training, researchers and others interested in educational transitions and transition activities.