ERIC Number: EJ1187117
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2223-7674
EISSN: N/A
Rethinking Early School Transitions as Social Transactions
Nieuwenhuizen, Elaney; Eloff, Irma; Moen, Melanie
South African Journal of Childhood Education, v4 n2 p73-89 Dec 2014
The purpose of the study was to explore the transitions of two individuals within a twinship from Grade R through to Grade 2, and to offer an in-depth description of their transition experiences and perspectives. The transitions were investigated with a focus on variables such as stress, stressors, emotions, coping and life skills. The inquiry was conducted as an interpretive case study. The participants were two monozygotic boys within a twinship, their mother and their Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 2 teachers. The findings suggest that the transition was predominantly uncomplicated from Grade R through to Grade 2, and that the transition to Grade 2 was more stressful than that to Grade 1. The findings also indicate that although the life skills taught by the researchers helped the boys to cope with negative stressors, their personal support structures were probably the most important factors in easing their transitions from Grade R through to Grade 2. The life skills learned mostly helped the two children to deal effectively with bullies, to contract and maintain satisfying friendships, and to control their personal emotions.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Elementary School Students, Case Studies, Twins, Elementary School Teachers, Preschool Teachers, Preschool Children, Student Adjustment, Stress Variables, Coping, Friendship, Skill Development, Social Development, Self Control, Foreign Countries, Daily Living Skills, Semi Structured Interviews, Mothers, Observation, Age Differences
AOSIS. 15 Oxford Street, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550 South Africa. Tel: +27-21-975-2602; Fax: +27-21-975-4635; e-mail: publishing@aosis.co.za; Web site: https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

Peer reviewed
