Preschoolers’ Perspectives About Transition to School in Australia and Denmark

Abstract

This study considered the intricate transition processes as children moved from preschool to primary school in Australia and Denmark. By employing Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model, our investigations explored how children’s perspectives reflected and reproduced cultural and societal influences during the transition period. A qualitative approach, drawing on focus group interviews and a constructivist analytic approach based on grounded theory, supported the consideration of children’s reflections on transition to primary school. The results indicated that proximal processes played a crucial role in shaping children’s transition experience during this critical period. In Australia children’s perspectives emphasized feeling comfortable, safe, and secure, as underscored in the curriculum framework Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. In the Danish context, children’s articulations aligned with the legislative acts and reflected their developing independence when navigating the school’s new academic, social, and personal demands. These findings highlighted the necessity of considering children’s feelings and development when they transitioned from preschool to school. To ensure effective transitions, educational policies and practices should have enhanced targeted support for children unfamiliar with school environments or lacking confidence in their academic abilities, while promoting teacher-led initiatives that scaffolded children’s social, emotional, and personal development during this critical phase. By focusing on the individual experiences and the institutional context, we can better support children in their transition to school and promote their overall well-being and engagement in learning.