This colloquium draws on recent cross-cultural research undertaken in Brunei exploring the transition of the child from home or nursery school to preschool, which is mandatory for all children in their fifth year. Preschool classes are a part of primary schools in the Bruneian education system and are administered by the Ministry of Education. Interviews were held with children, parents, and teachers to gain a comprehensive overview of the reality of the experience from the perspective of the participants. The colloquium concludes with suggestions for culturally appropriate ways to facilitate starting school.
References
1.
BteHjh AisahYusofHj MohdEbbeckM.BteHjh AsmahMorniHj & RosbergM. (1995) Child-rearing Study in Brunei Darussalam, unpublished paper, University of Brunei Darussalam.
2.
BluntP. & WilsonJ. (1990) The ‘Hidden-hand’ of Public Administration in Newly Emerging States: A theoretical and empirical analysis, unpublished paper, University of Brunei Darussalam.
3.
BurnsR. & UpexS. (2002) Education in Brunei Darussalam, in ClaytonT. (Ed.) Education and Social Change in South East Asia: From colonialism to ASEAN. New York: Falmer/Garland.
4.
DockettS.PerryB. & HowardP. (1999) Starting School: What matters to whom? Transition to School: Australian research and practice, conference paper, Sydney, 30–31 October.
5.
EbbeckM. (1996) Children Constructing Their Own Knowledge, International Journal of Early Years Education, 4(2), pp. 29–34.
6.
FeenyS., (Ed.) (1992) Early Childhood Education in Asia and the Pacific: A source book. New York: Garland.
7.
MacNaughtonG. (1996) Silenced Voices: Learning about early childhood programs in the South East Asia region, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 23(1), pp. 33–40.
8.
MacNaughtonS. (1995) Patterns of Emergent Literacy: Processes of development and transition. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
9.
ParrJ.MacNaughtonS.TimesleyH. & RobinsonV. (1993) Bridging the Gap: Practices of communication between home and the junior school, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 18(3), pp. 35–42.
10.
RichardsonL. (1997) Review of Transition from Home to School, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 22(1), pp. 18–22.
11.
RobbinsJ. (1997) Separation Anxiety: A study on commencement at preschool, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 22(1), pp. 12–17.
12.
SharpeR. & GanL. (2000) Aspects of Adjustment to Primary School — Some guidelines for teachers and parents, in Tan-NiamC. & LingQuoh May (Eds) Investing in Our Future: The early years. Singapore: McGraw-Hill.
13.
SimsM. & HutchinsT. (1999) Positive Transitions, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 24(3), pp. 12–16.
14.
WoodhillA. (1992) International Early Childhood Care and Education: Historical perspectives, in International Handbook of Early Childhood Education. New York: Garland.
