Things to teach kindergarteners


What Do Kids Learn in a Typical Kindergarten Curriculum?

Your child is starting kindergarten! This is an exciting milestone in any kid’s life.

Even if they've been in pre-k classes, kindergarten is often considered the first official school year for children.

Your kid can’t wait to ride that big yellow bus, and you’re excited for them to learn all kinds of new things. But you probably have questions, like:

  • Will my child learn to read this year?
  • What numbers should they know?
  • How can I help them learn at home?

Kindergarten is an exciting time, but it’s totally normal to feel a bit worried. We understand that you want your child to thrive, both academically and socially.

In this article, we’ll review the curriculum basics your child will cover this year — including language, math, science and those crucial social emotional skills.

It’s time to tackle kindergarten together. Let’s go!

Common Core skills

Although it varies from state to state, most schools closely follow the Common Core standards for kindergarten. These standards help set the foundation for your child’s future learning. 

Along with academic standards, educators focus on teaching children the ins and outs of the classroom. Learning the rules and expectations while figuring out their daily routine will take up much of the first few weeks of class. Then the kindergarten year will dive into more academic pursuits. 

Here’s an overview of what your child will learn this year.   

1. Kindergarten language arts

The alphabet

Learning to identify the alphabet’s letters is the first step towards reading and writing. So get ready to practice those ABCs and hear that classic alphabet song on repeat! 

Beyond identifying letters, there will also be a major focus on phonics. Your child will learn each letter’s sound. By the end of the year, they’ll be able to distinguish consonants from vowels and begin to understand the role each plays in a word.

Reading short words and storybooks 

Learning to read may be the most exciting part of kindergarten. Once a child starts reading, the potential to learn is endless! 

The kindergarten curriculum will focus on high-frequency sight words and short words that are easy to sound out. Educators are looking to encourage reading confidence. 

Tip: if your child is a more advanced reader, ask their teacher to recommend books to match their reading level so they stay interested and challenged.

Writing letters, short words and their name

Writing is an important part of the kindergarten curriculum. Your child will learn to:

  1. Print both upper and lower-case letters
  2. Write their own name
  3. Create tiny stories using short words

If your child struggles with writing, don’t stress. Many kids are still developing their fine motor skills at ages 5 and 6. With a bit of practice, your child’s scribbles will soon form legible words!

Tip: Encourage your child to practice writing their name in different ways or with different writing tools, like in this activity sheet from TeachWithMe.

Words, sounds and conversation

Your child’s language skills have changed dramatically since the toddler years. But there’s still much to learn.

While in kindergarten, your child will continue to grow their conversation skills. New friends and social situations — and more reading — will expand their vocabulary. 

Tip: Even though they’re getting older, don’t stop reading out loud with your child. Together you can tackle more complex stories and ideas, leading to an even better understanding of the world!

2. Kindergarten math

Numbers and counting

By the end of kindergarten, your child should have a solid understanding of numbers one through 20. And this means much more than just rote counting.

Kindergarten classrooms often feature great math manipulatives to help kids grasp abstract math concepts. The number "2" doesn’t mean much until you pair the word with the image of two blocks. This idea will stick even more if your child is given the chance to build and create numbers with objects they can touch and hold.

Your child will also likely learn basic skip counting. They’ll soon be able to count by 2s, 5s and 10s. This is an important first step into multiplication and division, though they won’t fully tackle those topics for a couple of years.

Identify shapes 

The basics of geometry start now. Your child will have plenty of time to explore both two-dimensional and basic three-dimensional shapes. The math manipulatives available in classrooms can also make a huge difference in your child’s understanding here.

They’ll be able to observe a shape from all sides, and will begin to understand why a square is a square. This basic knowledge of sides and angles will set them up for future math success!  

Simple addition and subtraction

Now that your child has a secure understanding of the first twenty or so numbers, they can really dive into addition and subtraction.

For your kindergartener, these concepts will come together as they add objects to a set, or take some away. This will also help cement their understanding that larger numbers “contain” smaller numbers (i.e. 7 is made up of 4 and 3).

3. Kindergarten science

Plants and animals

Kids are naturally curious, and nature is their first laboratory. There is so much to learn about the natural world! Plants and animals often have a lot of appeal because children encounter them every day.

In kindergarten, your child will focus on basic life cycles, like that of a frog or butterfly. And they will learn the different parts of a flower or of insects. Identifying and labeling is a major component of early science instruction. 

The senses and the body

Heads, shoulders, knees and toes will be a popular song this year! What the senses are and how they work is an important part of the kindergarten curriculum, as well as identifying and labeling their own body parts.

The weather

The weather is a great science topic for kindergarteners because it’s something they encounter every day. It affects their clothing choices and whether or not they can play outside. Learning the basics of the water cycle or why it snows is fascinating information for a five or six year old. 

Time

Time is abstract and still tricky at this age, but your child can understand more now than before. The set schedule of school is a great way to make time more tangible. They wake up at 7am, leave at 8am, eat lunch at 11am and so on. 

Visual schedules, like this one from Teaching Mama can help students understand this concept more quickly.

Tip: talk about time as often as possible. Your child is likely to still struggle with quarter and half hours (ex. 30 minutes after being “half-past” is hard to understand at this age), but the more exposure, the better. 

Other skills in the kindergarten curriculum

Kindergarten is about so much more than academic skills. Here’s a quick look at the other things your child will learn this year.

1. Cognitive and thinking skills

Problem solving and critical thinking skills

Your child will encounter many challenges this year. It’s part of learning and growing!

Now that they’re older with better impulse control, it’s the perfect time for them to learn how to work through obstacles and frustrations.

Focusing on tasks

Under the age of six, children still have a short attention span of about 15 to 20 minutes. But this is something that can improve with practice. 

With their teacher’s help and understanding, your child will learn how to better stay focused. This important skill will help them throughout their school years.

Paying attention 

Sitting and listening is no child’s strongest attribute, but it’s essential to school success. In kindergarten, they’ll learn how to respectfully pay attention, and be given the time to master it.

2. Behavioral and social skills

Making friends and resolving disagreements

School is a social event. Making new friends is exciting, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Friends fight, and teaching children to work through these disagreements is a normal part of a kindergarten educator’s day.

Self-regulation and how to follow rules

Better self-control is possible at this age, but it takes practice. School rules provide the perfect backdrop for learning to stay within expected limits and for kids to practice self-regulation.

3. Motor skills

Bone and muscle development

If you’ve recently bought your child a new school wardrobe, it can be painfully obvious that your child is still growing — and fast. More kindergarten classrooms are incorporating movement and activity into the day to help their bodies grow and strengthen.

Finger and hand control 

Learning to write is an important skill, but full mastery may take another couple of years. The primary focus in a kindergarten classroom is learning the basics of holding a pencil or crayon, so your child can improve finger and hand control.

Tip: if your child needs more practice, look at adding fun activities like molding clay to your weekend activities. This can be a great way to strengthen young hands.

Sound out simple skills and read aloud 

This best tool in your homeschooling kit? Books! 

Read, read, read, then read some more. Reading aloud will encourage your child’s interest in reading independently. Take the time to sound out simple words as you read together, and help them recognize letter sounds throughout the day. 

Once they’re interested, reading skills will develop. If they aren’t there yet, don’t worry. Many kids may not learn to read until age seven or up. Keep reading together and soon their interest will come. 

Encourage them to keep a journal 

Keeping a journal is a great way to practice writing, with a focus on healthy social emotional practices.

2. Teaching kindergarten math at home

Incorporate numbers everywhere

Numbers are all around. Look and point out numbers in your everyday activities. Let your child help you count how many apples you’re buying at the store, or talk about how many crackers are left at snack time.

Create word problems with household objects

Baking together is an excellent way to incorporate math into your day. Even something as simple as turning down the volume on the TV can turn into a math lesson. And toy collections are a great place to start talking about addition and subtraction. 

Don’t overcomplicate math. Use what you already have and create engaging math lessons easily.

Draw comparisons with everyday objects
  • Which stuffed animal is bigger? 
  • Who’s taller, mommy or daddy? 
  • Do you think more cereal can fit in this bowl? 

These are all great questions to get your child thinking and learning about math concepts.

Combine learning and fun with online games

When you’re using a homeschool curriculum, you have access to so many resources! Screen time can be used wisely to help your child learn while having fun.  

Game-based learning tools like Prodigy Math Game are a great way for your child to learn and practice age-appropriate math curriculum that meets your child at their skill level.

If math practice is stressing you out, share a fun online game and watch the learning happen naturally!

Get a free Prodigy account now

3. Teaching cognitive, behavioral, motor and social skills at home

Practice listening skills with fun games like red light/green light and 20 questions 

If you’re tired of yelling to get your child’s attention, test their listening and comprehension skills with a fun game (turns out they really do hear you when they want to 😂).

Join community groups so your child can socialize and form friendships outside of the family 

Everyone worries about socialization, but homeschoolers have that covered with learning co-ops and gatherings. And there are more meetings now than ever before. A quick online search is a great way to find a group that fits your schedule and needs.

Try sports programs to develop both motor skills and social skills

Most sports programs for younger kids are offered by local communities, so don’t worry about your homeschooled child missing out. Sign them up for a sports club to work on both their social and gross motor skills.

Help your kindergartener thrive throughout the school year

Kindergarten is an exciting time, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Now that you know what’s expected of your child this year, you can help them meet their academic and social goals. Read with your child, ask them about their day, and celebrate their wins. It’s a big year for everyone!

If you’re worried about your child meeting their math goals, explore Prodigy Math Game. Prodigy can help keep the frustration out of math practice. Instead of simple worksheets, your child can learn standards-aligned math while playing an exciting video game! 

Plus, with a parent account, you can play an active role in your child’s math learning. Track and support their progress while motivating them to answer more math questions. 👍

Sign up now for free

Teaching Kindergarten: 50+ Tips, Tricks, and Ideas

Kindergarten teachers are magical people. It takes a special person to be able to manage the littlest students without breaking a sweat! Teaching kindergarten is also a special opportunity to introduce children to school and instill in them a love of learning. In honor of you who teach this grade, we’ve scoured our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook to bring you the best tips, tricks, and ideas for teaching kindergarten.

Getting Your Classroom Ready

1. Integrate all of the tech

Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden

With so many teachers receiving new devices, make sure you’re using them fully as a normal part of your day. Check out some of Keri from Enchanted Kinder Garden’s favorite tech tools for a kindergarten classroom.

2. Prepare yourself for kids with a wide range of skills

“Be ready for kids who are readers, kids who have never seen letters, and everything in between. I love my kinders dearly and find so much joy in watching their little lightbulbs go on for the first time! They’re a different bunch to be sure, but they’re a blast!” —Maggie V.

3. Create an inviting classroom

Need ideas? We’ve gathered real-life kindergarten classrooms for you to browse!

4. Be prepared for changes

Source: The Daily Alphabet

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The science of reading has been all the buzz lately. Are you aware of what it truly means for your classroom and your students? Check out this article to learn more about the science of reading.

5. Gather all the supplies

Not sure what exactly you need for the kindergarten classroom? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of essential kindergarten classroom supplies.

6. Plan your circle time well

Source: Growing Kinders

Make circle time short, sweet, and active. Incorporate these amazing carpet spots for easy seating.

7. Get a jump start on lessons

In kindergarten, teacher planning and prep time are precious! It makes life a lot easier when you can purchase existing lessons, bundles, books, and pages. And why not support other teachers while you do it? Check out our favorite Teacher Pay Teachers sellers.

8. Put together an irresistible classroom reading nook

Source: Pixie Chicks

If there’s one thing you want your kindergartners to walk away with at the end of the year, it’s the message that reading is fun! Make reading time extra special for them by setting up one of these awesome reading nooks.

9. Fill your classroom library with these classic kindergarten books

Here are our favorite books for teaching kindergarten.

10. Set up sensory tables

Early childhood teachers know that hands-on learning is essential. Sensory play encourages open-ended thinking, language development, and collaboration and builds fine motor skills. Sensory materials are magically both engaging and calming. Here are our favorites!

11. Set up a writing area

Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden

Writing is so important for our early learners. Even when students are just learning to write, it’s important to encourage the process. Having a dedicated writing time helps shift a child’s focus. Some classrooms even have a dedicated space for writing. Here is an easy setup for a writing center.

The First Days of School

12. Take your class on a mini-adventure on the first day

“I teach routines and rules, but I also go on some kind of ‘adventure.’ My adventure is going through the school to find where everything is: the bathrooms, the nurse, the front office, the cafeteria (which we practice going through the line), library, etc. I’ve done fishing where I have fish (or a jungle animal if that was my theme) hanging at each place and they collect them in a bucket as we go around taking turns and collecting through the whole school. They love it.” —Dana H.

13. Keep in mind that the kids have expectations too

Source: Rainbows Within Reach

“Kids go to their first day of kindergarten expecting to learn how to read that very day. So you have to do some choral reading of big books or poems so that they know that they have begun to learn to read. Just one big book. Read it many times that day. If they go home seeing themselves as scholars on the first day of school, you will have set the tone for the whole year.” —Becky N.

14. Help the parents of your students on the first day because it’s a tough transition for them too

“You will have a room full of parents on the first day, so to have a smooth goodbye, I wrap a box with Kinder Bear (any stuffed bear) inside. After the kids are sitting on the carpet, I tell them that I have a friend I’d like them to meet, but that he’s shy. I pretend to listen to the bear and tell the kids he wants you to say bye to Mom & Dad so he can come out and play. The parents will ‘get’ the message and leave, and the students will be eager to meet Kinder Bear!” —Denise B.

15. Start at the

very beginning

Source: Pre-K Pages

“Don’t assume they know how to do anything. Teach them everything. How to knock at the bathroom door, how to close it behind them, how to wash hands, throw away towels … routines, routines, routines.” —Shannon T.

16. Keep in mind how close to “baby” your students really are

“Remember, they are 60-month-olds! That always gives me perspective the first few weeks teaching kindergarten.” —Michelle K.

17. Choose amazing read-alouds for the first week of school

Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden

Go ahead and “add to cart” on Amazon to get first-week read-alouds and back-to-school books they’ll love.

18. Make keepsake drawings that will show growth from the beginning of the year

Source: Splish Splash Splatter

“I would have them do a self-portrait the first day and then another one the last week and look at the difference! You will want to start and demo one of yourself just to give them an idea of what to do. You might be surprised at the results and your parents will save it forever—mine did. I still have one I drew as a kinder or first grader.” —Julia A.

19. Start the year with firm expectations and clear routines

“Don’t worry about the curriculum. Just focus on the routines and rules. One of the best bits of advice I got from a professor was that the kids WANT to love you so don’t be afraid to be strict with the rules and set down your boundaries right out of the gate. I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and I learned that the hard way. Have fun, play games, let them see your playful side, but take the time to let them know what is expected of them.” —Julie S.

Check out these first day routines and procedures for more ideas!

20. Teach kids

exactly how to listen

Source: First Grade Garden

Don’t expect that they will come to you knowing what listening looks like. Here’s how to teach them.

21. Teach kids how to make friends

Source: First and Kinder Blue Skies

Some of your students will make friends naturally. Some of them will need your help. How to be a friend is one of the most important lessons they can leave their first year of school with. Here’s an activity you can do to help them.

22. Find fun ways to teach all of the routines your little ones will need to know all year long

“For my lines in the hallway, I say ‘There’s a cloud with marshmallows falling down (wiggle fingers like they’re falling from above), everyone catch a marshmallow!’ Pretend to catch and say, ‘now put it in your mouth and chew chew chew chew and keep your finger on your lips so it doesn’t fall out’ until you get to the cafeteria, playground, etc. They’ll walk around with their cheeks puffed up pretending to chew. Some might say they ate it, so tell them to catch another or it’s too big to eat the whole thing and keep chewing! I’ve heard teachers say ‘catch a bubble.’ It’s the same concept. When I need instant silence I say, ‘Catch a marshmallow!’ and there is quiet immediately.” —Heikel F.

Here is our list of must-teach classroom routines and procedures.

Classroom Management Tips

23. Use anchor charts

Creating anchor charts for and with your students helps them learn and remember lessons about topics like friendship, shapes, counting, letters, beginning writing, and more.

24. Keep your kids moving all day long

Source: You Clever Monkey

“Plan lessons/activities that last no more than 15 minutes, with some kind of movement activity in between. (Moving from the circle to the table counts, as does clapping a pattern, or Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.)” —Anne H.

25. Do proper assessments

Teachers need to ultimately adapt their teaching to suit students’ needs. You want all of your students to be successful; that’s why these kindergarten assessment ideas are so important.

26. Combine multiple objectives into a single lesson

Source: Childcareland Pre-K

Teach children number sense and fine motor skills at the same time. The kids will love using the hole punch in this activity and will improve their number sense at the same time.

27. Teach with centers

Teaching with centers is one of the easiest ways to work through your curriculum while teaching kindergarten. And kids love them! Check out our kindergarten literacy centers for more ideas.

28. Get the wiggles out

Incorporating brain breaks will help all of your students when they just need a break from learning!

29. Give your kids visual cues to help them follow your directions

Source: Mrs. Maya’s Kinders

“I have my kids line up on numbers. They stay on the same number all year. This saves so much time. We can line up in less than 15 seconds. Their toes touch the number but don’t cover it so I can see it.” —Debbie N.

30. Keep little fingers cleaner with this trick

Source: Lucky Little Learners

“Glue sponges! There are several videos online for making them. So awesome to not deal with the bottle of glue mess or those littles who can’t close the bottle and spill glue in their supplies!” —Anita D.

31. Use a washable stuffed animal as a class pet

Source: A First for Everything

Low maintenance (essential for teaching kindergarten), high fun! Kids will love taking turns bringing it home to care for it over the weekend.

32. Routine, routine, routine

Veterans who’ve been teaching kindergarten for years said this again and again on our Helpline: Probably more than any other age group in elementary school, kindergartners thrive on their routine. “Plan fun and easy activities for the first week so you can keep focused on the routine.” —Sarah S.

Curriculum Tips and Tricks

33. Tailor your science to their needs

These fun and free science activities were put together just for your kindergarten students! They’ll learn how the world works through play and experiments.

34. Try daily STEM challenges

These STEM challenges are designed with your kinders in mind. Try one each day or each week to get their minds thinking outside the box.

35. Use these strategies for writing instruction

From invented spelling to punctuation and using words in context, these tips will help your newbie writers catch on quickly.

36. Use hands-on alphabet activities

Go on a scavenger hunt, play with shaving cream, and much more. These alphabet activities are perfect for your class.

37. Incorporate daily writing prompts

We’ve gathered writing prompts that you can download and use to get your kinders practicing their writing skills.

38. Use “space people” to help your beginning writers learn to use spaces between words

Source: Time 4 Kindergarten

Put an astronaut stick down when you get to the end of a word, so you know where to start the next one!

39. Put sight words front and center

Source: Life With Moore Babies

Keep track of important sight words in fun ways and keep them visually front and center like this growing word-a-pillar.

40.

Teach word families

Source: Teacher Karma

This method is tried-and-true among kindergarten teachers. Check out the link for seven simple steps for using word families to teach reading.

41. Bring technology (in small doses) into the classroom

Check out our guide to teaching kindergarten online for tips using technology when teaching kindergarten.

42. Sneak in the learning with games

“I like playing ‘I have, who has’ games. I take their picture on the first day of school and create an ‘I have who has’ game with their photos. It’s a great way for them to learn names, plus I use their picture for everything.” —Lisa G.

Check out our favorite educational toys and games for kindergarten.

43. Organize your instruction around themes

When you structure your lessons thematically, you provide your kids with more “hooks” for learning. Check out this blog by Fun-a-Day for some great ideas.

44. Find hands-on ways to teach number sense

Source: The Printable Princess

Number sense is key in kindergarten. You’ll want to cover it again and again. Here are some ideas for teaching number sense.

45. Incorporate kindergarten math games

Kindergarten offers so many opportunities to help students find learning truly enjoyable. These kindergarten math games teach concepts in fun and meaningful ways.

46. Watch math videos

Making math more engaging for kids can be difficult. But teaching math will be anything but boring when you introduce students to some of our favorite subtraction and addition videos on YouTube.

47. Begin teaching shapes

Learning shapes is one of the earliest concepts we teach kids. Shapes ready them for geometry in the years ahead, but it’s also an important skill for learning how to write and draw. Get started with these activities.

48. Count the days of school and celebrate when you reach 100

There are so many different fun ways to celebrate the 100th day of school. We’ve got a whole collection of activities for you!

49.

Use music for everything

“Music is needed and is a good way to transition. Find a welcome song and an afternoon song (can be the same tune with different words) to start and close your day. It makes a world of difference.” —Anne H.

50. Keep activity sticks on hand so you never have a terrifying “What do I do with them

now?” moment

Source: Keep Calm and Teach On

One of the most repeated pieces of advice in our Helpline group about teaching kindergarten is that you should always overplan for this age group. These activity sticks are a fantastic safety net when you suddenly find that your lesson went twice as fast as you expected.

51. Go on a field trip

Kinders are a wild bunch, and taking them anywhere might seem daunting, but field trips provide kids with the kind of real-world learning that really sticks with them. These kindergarten field trips will keep your young students interested and (mostly) out of trouble. We even have virtual ones!

52. Incorporate LOTS of art

Hands-on learning is best for little ones. We’ve gathered our favorite fun and interesting projects.

Taking Care of You

53. Take care of yourself

Teaching kindergarten requires a different kind of energy. Eat well and try to get an extra hour of sleep if you can. “When I switched from teaching second grade to teaching kindergarten, I was exhausted for the first two months. It’s physically taxing.” —Karen E.

Here are some teacher self-care ideas to consider.

54. Connect with a community of educators outside of your own school

Teaching is hard! Join our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook group and connect with other teachers to talk about challenges and triumphs and ask questions.

55. Follow kindergarten teachers and bloggers

Keep a pulse on what’s happening in your grade level with our favorite teachers sharing on topics ranging from crafts to addressing important multicultural issues.

56. Laugh with your kids

Kindergartners love to laugh as much as the rest of us! These funny books will add some humor and levity to your day. Plus, check out these jokes just for kindergartners!

57. Keep a “sub tub” on hand for those days when you just can’t make it into school

Source: Supply Me

Fill your sub tub with all the lessons and activities your sub will need in case you have an unexpected absence.

58. Plan fun annual events for your students and their families

Source: Kindercraze

Whether it’s Cupcakes With Caregivers, a fall feast, or a spring BBQ, kindergartners love traditions. And they love to include their families. Here are some tips on making these events inclusive for all your students.

59. And last, but certainly not least, give them lots (and lots) of time to play

“Playtime teaches kids how to get along with others so that they can effectively learn in a classroom. It’s so important, especially in kindergarten. ” —Michelle S.

Check out our educational toys for kindergarten and why dolls belong in the classroom!

We’d love to hear—what are your favorite tips and tricks for teaching kindergarten? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out our guide to the kindergarten classroom.

What are the differences and nuances when a home child and a kindergartener go to school

Myth 1. Kindergarten is an obligatory part of socialization

Kindergartens and nurseries are one of the victories of women in the struggle for their rights. According to family psychologist Lyudmila Petranovskaya, “a garden is a service that was invented in industrial culture so that mom could go to work.”

Assigning the function of socialization to preschool institutions is as naive as expecting a person to learn good manners from going to a restaurant. It's possible, but it's unlikely to happen on its own. nine0006

Fact

A domestic child will not have communication problems if he is given the opportunity to interact with peers and adults in different situations. A child must communicate with people not from his family everywhere - on the playground in the yard, in a circle, at a party.

Myth 2. Kindergarten is evil

Another extreme is to perceive preschool institutions only in a negative way. Some parents believe that in kindergartens, children are constantly sick and have traumatic experiences. nine0006

Fact

Although it is possible to learn communication and acquire important social skills without kindergarten, this does not mean that kindergarten is bad in itself. There are kindergartens with an individual approach and sensitive educators. The main thing is that the child feels comfortable there.

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Myth 3. It is difficult for home children to get used to school

Many believe that children who were brought up without a kindergarten are hard to adapt to school and study poorly. The parent of a domestic child often receives veiled claims: “Well, what do you want? You didn't go to the garden. " nine0006

According to psychologist Lyudmila Petranovskaya, this phrase means something like this: “Why is the child not hewn in advance, why is he too child, too alive.”

“When we are shown a “kindergarten” child who quickly got used to school, unlike a home child who either cries, or breaks the rules, or refuses to go there, it really means only one thing - all the stress that is now is experiencing at home, his garden peer experienced a few years ago - being younger and more defenseless. nine0005 Lyudmila Petranovskaya

fact

Good study and knowledge does not depend on whether the child went to the garden. In kindergarten, children are taught to behave correctly: raise their hand, call to the board or ask for time off to go to the toilet. But according to the academician and professor of the Russian Academy of Education Vladimir Sobkin, readiness for school should be formed not by modeling the behavior of a student in the classroom, but by games and development. nine0006

A preschooler should be inquisitive and open, not afraid of new things, feel safe. The task of parents is to teach him to concentrate and provide sufficient experience of interacting with the world.

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Myth 4. A child should get used to stress

In Soviet times, they tried to send children to a nursery as early as possible. The state needed a workforce, and mothers often simply had no choice.

Times have changed, but the attitude “everyone goes and nothing will happen to you” remains. Some parents sincerely believe that the sooner the child is faced with responsibilities, the better - "we go to work with dad, the kindergarten is your job." nine0006

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Fact

All children are different. Some attend kindergarten with interest from the first day, others experience severe stress. When a mother needs to go to work and send her child to kindergarten, there is nothing wrong with that. But you need to pay attention to the characteristics and interests of the baby.

So that the child does not feel abandoned in the kindergarten, it is important that the atmosphere in the group is friendly and there is contact with the teachers. Alarm calls:

  • the child does not talk about kindergarten,
  • began to stutter,
  • does not sleep well at night,
  • feigns illness or really becomes ill due to psychosomatics.

Parents should come to the aid of the child, protect him, and not justify this by accustoming him to stress and responsibilities.

Conclusions


Children, family situations and preschools are different. It is important to remember that kindergarten is a service for parents, not a necessity for a child. Kindergarten is not designed to form values ​​and educate - these are the duties of parents. nine0005

Whether or not your child has attended kindergarten, you can test their readiness for school with our fun quiz. It's free and will allow you to feel confident before entering the school.

Kindergarteners will learn to say thank you, take care of animals and love the Motherland

On January 1, 2023, a new federal program of preschool education should come into force. The draft document was presented by the Ministry of Education in early November, and soon the program was recommended to be adopted in the near future. After that, as the developers believe, a single “educational preschool space” will appear in the country. That is, everywhere kids will be brought up the same way, instilling common values. nine0085

How Motherland begins

Creating a unified educational space is a new trend. Earlier, in September, parliamentarians had already approved the so-called "gold standard" of education. It will become mandatory for all schools in Russia "from Moscow to the outskirts" from next year.

It was decided to apply a similar approach to preschool education. What exactly to teach kindergarteners and kindergarteners was described in detail in the new preschool program, which is planned to be made mandatory also from January 1, 2023. So, according to the document, children from one to two years old need to instill the primary experience of social interaction, for example, learn to say hello and thank you. Children from three to five years old are invited to learn how to care for family members, animals, plants. And children from the age of six - also a feeling of love for the Motherland. nine0006

It is necessary to form the foundations of “citizenship and patriotism” in children at different ages in different ways, follows from the document. For kids - to talk about their small homeland, show it on a globe and a map. Older children should be introduced to state symbols and taught to respect them. By the age of six or seven, future schoolchildren should already have an idea about the Constitution, the Ministry of Education believes.

The unified program of preschool education also includes dozens of modern and classical visual, literary and musical works, which are recommended to be introduced to children from birth to 7-8 years old, deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture told Parliamentary Newspaper nine0084 Ludmila Skakovskaya . “Thus, in Russia it is planned to form a holistic process of teaching and educating preschoolers based on traditional values ​​and modern educational practices. For this purpose, a single educational space is being created, ”the senator explained.

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Not according to SanPiN and to the detriment of health

With all the pluses, the program received a mixed assessment from experts. Their claims to the draft document were expressed, for example, in the Association of the best preschool educational organizations and teachers. The letter sent by educators and teachers to Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov and State Duma Deputy Larisa Tutova is at the disposal of the Parliamentary Newspaper.

The Association pointed out that when developing a program, it is necessary "first of all to take into account the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism of preschool children and the individual characteristics of the child's development.


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