Calm and Alert – Ready to Learn: a transition program created by families, EC services and schools

This project investigates the effectiveness of a play-based program to enhance preschoolers’ self-regulation (SR) in the transition to preschool, with a focus on children and families from diverse backgrounds and those experiencing risk or vulnerability. The program was co-designed with families, Early Childhood (EC) educators, school teachers and researchers. It will be trialled though a pilot study in 2022. Children’s SR, learning dispositions, and developmentally appropriate academic learning will be assessed to develop insights into the impact of the program. Findings will inform a funding application for a larger study that will scale-out the program more widely in the ACT and/or into other jurisdictions.

This project is comprised of two phases.

The aim of Phase 1 was to work with families, EC educators, teachers, and researchers to co-design the key principles and practices of an inclusive play-based program that promotes the development of self-regulating environments to support young children during the transition to school. The process of co-design was carried out in 2021 with three teachers, three setting leaders, three educators, 18 families and four researchers. It involved a series of interviews, focus groups and co-design workshops where stakeholders developed a shared understanding of what self-regulation is and its importance in the transition to school. Families and educators shared their expectations about what a positive transition should look like and shared ideas on how the program could be meaningful and feasible to them in the context of busy schedules and competing demands.

In 2022, we will complete Phase 2 by conducting a pilot study across four preschool groups to evaluate the perceived value, feasibility and fidelity of the program. Data will be gathered via short surveys with families and educators as well as children’s ratings of the activities. In addition, a battery of self-regulation tasks will be piloted with participant children to conduct a preliminary assessment of the potential impact of this program.

The primary outcome of this project will be a set of online resources and play-based activities that educators and families can use to promote self-regulation and positive dispositions towards learning at home and at school. Outcomes of this project will be disseminated via journal articles, newsletters, conference presentations, professional learning sessions and media engagement.

• Pino-Pasternak, D., & Wilkey, A. (2021). Calm and Alert – Ready to Learn: A transition to preschool program created by families, Early Childhood services and schools. Affiliated Schools Program 2021 Annual Conference. University of Canberra and ACT Education Directorate. https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/faculties/education/affiliated-schools/as-annual-conference/annual-conference-2021