Millions of children will put on their lunchboxes, grab their backpacks and roll their bags to school this year. Kindergarten marks the transition from education at home or preschool to formal classroom learning.
High-quality kindergartens allow kids to learn through exploration and discovery. They learn about the natural world and build skills that prepare them for elementary school.
Language and Literacy
Children in kindergarten, generally 5 or 6 years of age, begin exploring the early stages of writing. They experiment with writing letters in different ways, including scribbling in sand and rice trays. They also write their names and try to match spoken words with the written word in books.
Oral language and awareness of the conventions of print are key predictors of literacy success (Burns et al., 1999; Snow, 2006). Attending a high-quality preschool program with a strong reading literacy program is correlated to reduced special education placements and retention in later elementary school (NCES, 1996b; Neuman & Roskos, 1997).
Children who are read aloud to daily gain over 900 hours of reading experience by the time they enter kindergarten (MSU Extension). Parents can support children’s early learning of letters, sounds and words through organic conversations and reading aloud together. They can also provide children with a variety of writing materials such as crayons, markers and pencils to encourage their writing and display their work.
Social and Emotional Development
Social-emotional development is the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships, and it is a vital component of a student’s overall learning. Research has shown that students who have strong social-emotional skills are less likely to experience emotional distress or problem behaviors, and they often have higher test scores.
Educators can support social-emotional development by providing opportunities for students to express their emotions, practice pro-social behaviors, and feel confident in their abilities. Young children need to understand the importance of sharing and taking turns, learn how to recognize and manage their own feelings, and develop empathy for others.
By incorporating equity-focused Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into every classroom, school, and community, educators can help students thrive personally and academically, develop healthy relationships, become lifelong learners, and make responsible and caring decisions in their daily lives. Visit the CDE’s SEL website to learn more about the framework and tools for this important work.
Motor Skills
Children develop their motor skills from birth, both gross (using large muscles) and fine (using smaller muscle movements). It is normal for kids to progress through these milestones at different times. However, if your child is not meeting these motor milestones by kindergarten age, consider seeking professional evaluation to ensure that he or she has the foundational skills needed for school.
Fine motor milestones include being able to grip a pencil properly and draw, write letters and numbers, place pegs on a pegboard, use a glue bottle correctly, and build with blocks and other construction toys. These milestones also support the development of hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity. Practicing using scissors to cut paper or playdough strengthens fine motor skills, while lacing yarn through pre-punched holes in cards improves hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Developing a strong sense of self-worth is crucial for children to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Their self-esteem directly impacts their resilience, independence, and psychological well-being. Children who struggle with self-esteem are more prone to anxiety, shyness, and have a harder time accepting failure (Keshky & Samak, 2017).
Building kids’ confidence requires teaching them that they don’t need to succeed at everything all the time. Rather, they should be resilient enough to keep trying and not give up at the first sign of frustration. This teaches them that they don’t have to be perfect in order to be loved and accepted.
Loving and supportive relationships with parents are also key to building self-esteem. This includes providing lots of positive feedback and encouraging children to love themselves even if they lose the big game or don’t do well on a test. Creating a daily journal that encourages kids to celebrate their unique qualities is another way to build their confidence and self-esteem.