A Test of the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Program in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

The KITS Program is a 4-month psychosocial intervention for children at high risk for school difficulties and their caregivers. The intervention begins in the summer before kindergarten and continues across the first two months of kindergarten. The KITS intervention consists of: (a) child school readiness play groups to facilitate the development of self-regulatory, social, and early literacy skills (2 times per week in summer, 1 time per week in the fall); and (b) a 12 session psychoeducational workshop to promote parent involvement in the child's early literacy and schooling and the use of effective parenting techniques (once per week in summer, bi-weekly in the fall).