• Kindergarten provides your child with an opportunity to practice and learn basic literacy, math, science, and social studies standards, as well as essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and study skills. While learning, working, and playing with others, kindergarten students will build upon their self-esteem and self-worth. They will also learn inclusivity and patience while sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others. Furthermore, kindergarten is a time for families and educators to work together to spark and direct a child's curiosity and natural love of learning. This is the foundation for the remainder of their educational career.

    While at school, kindergarten students will engage in:

    • Activities that expand their ability to learn about (and from) the world, to organize information, and to solve problems.
    • Teacher-initiated and child-initiated activities.
      • This includes learning and play-based activities.
    • Whole group, small group, and one-on-one learning opportunities.
    • Special activities such as library, art, music, and P.E.

     

    To help the transition to kindergarten go as smoothly as possible, kindergarten teachers ask that children possess these entry skills as kindergarten students*. Through providing time and opportunities to work on these skills at home, your child can complete these activities independently at school. Encouraging independence in completing tasks will further enhance your child’s confidence and self-reliance. Providing opportunities for them to take on challenges independently helps them to develop valuable problem-solving skills and a sense of autonomy.

    I (the child) can:

    • Put on my own coat
      • I can fix the sleeves when they are inside out
    • Zip up my own coat
    • Put on my own shoes and boots
      • Tie my own shoes if I wear shoes that tie
    • Put my mittens and snow gear on by myself
    • Put my supplies away (clean up after myself)
    • Open my own snack or lunch
      • Open the packaging that contains my snack (even if it means using scissors)
      • Open my lunch container
    • Put my backpack on by myself
    • Clean up my spot (food and toys)
    • Do my bathroom routine independently (wipe, flush, wash hands, and leave others alone)

    Here are some activities that help me (the child) to further develop these independent skills:

    • Pulling, squeezing, and pinching playdoh
    • Sorting items: putting away silverware, matching socks, etc.
    • Tearing paper
    • Dressing dolls or stuffed animals
    • Stringing beads or macaroni on things such as pipe cleaners, string, etc.
    • Putting together and taking apart interlocking blocks

    *Teachers understand that children reach developmental milestones at different times, which means some children might be working on and building these skills while in kindergarten.