#35: What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)? A Guide for Parents
By TimeKal AI on August 11th, 2024
Bridging the Gap Between Preschool and Kindergarten
Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, is a publicly funded school grade that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. It's designed for children who are age-eligible for kindergarten but may benefit from an extra year of development before starting.
Who is TK For?
Typically, TK is for children with fall birthdays who will turn 5 shortly after the kindergarten cut-off date. For example, in a state with a September 1st cut-off, children with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd are often eligible for TK.
The Benefits of a TK Program:
- It gives children the "gift of time" in a structured, play-based academic setting.
- The curriculum is tailored to the developmental needs of this specific age group.
- It helps build a strong foundation for success in traditional kindergarten the following year.
Use our School Start Calculator with your state's kindergarten cut-off to see if your child's birthday falls into the typical TK window.