University Advancement

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CSUN Professor Co-Authors Book on Easing the Transition to Preschool

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2007) — Excitement and anxiety are just few of the emotions young children may experience when entering preschool. Cal State Northridge professor Barbara K. Polland collaborated with retired educator, Kathe Jervis, to write a book that helps parents and other caregivers assist with preschoolers’ forays into school.

"Separation: Supporting Children in their Preschool Transitions," includes practical tips for encouraging teachers and parents of preschool children who face the excitement and stress of separation.

"Kathe Jervis and I co-authored this book because we are passionate advocates for developmentally appropriate ways to facilitate the separation process," said Polland.

Helpful hints and advice are given throughout the book to help parents and teachers cope with the process, including ambivalence about separation and attachment, the comfort of routines, understanding the child’s perspective and supporting cultural and linguistic diversity.

In their book, Polland and Jervis encourage parents to support their children through this important transition.

"Conscientious parenting begins at home but needs to continue into preschool transitions," said Polland. "Parents need to carefully interview preschools concerning numerous topics of basic importance such as how they help parents and children to separate."

As a CSUN professor in child and adolescent development, Polland has worked professionally with children for more than 50 years. She has shared her approaches to early childcare in radio and television interviews, previous books, magazines, newspaper articles and during international conference presentations.

Jervis is a seasoned author having written numerous books on education and child development. For more than 25 years, she has dedicated herself to teaching K-12 and college courses. Jervis participates in national educational communities such as the Prospect Center for Education and Research and the North Dakota Study Group on Evaluation.

Polland said she hopes the book will help multitudes of parents and early childhood educators.

"Too many adults recall crying at the door when they were little and abruptly left at school," said Polland. "There is no reason to create abandonment separation trauma for any child."