About us

Kids in Transition to School

Kids in Transition to School – or KITS – is an evidence-based school readiness program developed at the Oregon Social Learning Center. The program provides a boost to children’s literacy, self-regulation, and social skills just prior to kindergarten via a system of positive teaching and behavior change strategies. The program focuses on both children and their families.

For Children

The school readiness groups are structured like a kindergarten class. Children attend 2 sessions a week for 8 weeks before the start of kindergarten and 1 session per week for 8 weeks after school starts. A 24-session school readiness group curriculum concentrates on:

  • Early literacy skills (e.g., letter names and sounds, concepts about print) during the summer
  • Early numeracy skills (e.g., recognizing numbers, counting)
  • Self-regulation (e.g., teacher-preferred skills such as sitting still and raising hands)
  • Social skills (e.g., cooperation, sharing, recognizing others’ emotions)

For Parents

Parents attend workshops weekly in the summer and every other week in the fall. A 12-session workshop for parents focuses on:

  • Ways to increase early literacy skills at home.
  • Establishing school routines to help with transition to kindergarten.
  • How to become involved with their children’s schooling.
  • How to encourage positive behaviors at home and school.

Our Funders

  • Collins Foundation
  • Corporation for National and Community Service Social Innovation Fund
  • Ford Family Foundation
  • Institute of Education Sciences
  • Jubitz Family Foundation
  • Oregon Community Foundation
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse
  • United Way of Lane County

Our Partners