Kids get their first taste of structured school in kindergarten, and it’s often an emotional experience for them. But it’s also a time for them to grow as learners.
They’ll begin to learn math by interacting with hands-on materials and play games that encourage them to count objects. They’ll develop social skills by learning how to work together and resolve disagreements.
Cognitive Growth
During kindergarten, kids develop cognitively. They begin to think imaginatively, as well as logically. For example, they may play a game of pretend with friends or imagine how to build something with blocks. This is an important skill for their school success.
They also explore different types of art, expressing their creativity and imagination. They might make a puppet, act out stories and learn about the culture of other cultures through long-term projects. Building with Legos or similar building materials helps children learn to plan ahead and work collaboratively. It’s an opportunity to help them practice problem-solving and become tenacious when things don’t come together as planned.
Kids whose parents support their cognitive development through everyday activities – reading books, singing songs and following new schedules – tend to have higher executive functioning skills. They’re better able to concentrate, follow instructions and manage their emotions. In addition, they’re less likely to engage in self-defeating behaviors (Ramani & Siegler, 2008, as cited in Paris, Ricardo, Raymond and Johnson, 2021). This is especially true for kids from low-income families who are more often left behind when it comes to school readiness.
Social and Emotional Growth
During kindergarten, children continue to learn about their feelings and how to interact with others. They become more comfortable with social situations, and are better able to problem-solve.
They begin to build a strong foundation for their academic growth, too. This includes learning how to follow directions (both written and verbal), listen attentively, and work cooperatively with peers.
Kindergartners also start their journey into literacy, learning how to blend letter sounds together to form words. They may also begin to read high-frequency sight words – like ‘the,’ ‘and’, and ‘it’ – that cannot be sounded out but must be recognized on sight.
Encourage your child to practice their writing skills at home by creating an inviting space where they can write. You can also set up a role-play with stuffed animals to help them practice how to solve conflicts that might arise in a classroom, such as not sharing, taking turns, and respecting personal space.
Physical Skills Development
Physical development encompasses the way children move their arms and legs (large motor skills) and the small muscles in their fingers and hands (fine motor skills). Exercise improves children’s overall health, increases their ability to focus, and helps them feel less stress.
Children may engage in activities like jumping, hopping on one foot, running and climbing, to develop their gross motor skills. They can also scribble with markers, crayons or pens to strengthen their fine motor skills. Similarly, they can use their finger and thumb to pick up and release objects, and form letters with modelling clay or sand.
A balance of free play and structured activities provides an optimal setting for encouraging physical growth. Free play enhances creativity and imagination, while structured activities build skill-building and promote discipline.
Independence and Self-Assurance
One of the key learning skills a kindergarten student can take with them for life is independence. Rather than feeling paralyzed by the vast, unknown expanse of their future (which can be a real fear for many children as they near adulthood), kindergarten students learn to build their capacity for independence little by little, giving them confidence to tackle anything that comes their way.
Their teacher will also establish class routines that help kids become more autonomous, like washing their hands before snacktime or putting away their backpack. And when they see that they can manage a task on their own, even when it ends up with milk spills or mismatched socks, their self-esteem is boosted, encouraging them to keep trying new things.
They may also start to grasp the concept of time, understanding that there are mornings, afternoons and nights, as well as seasons throughout the year. These concepts are cultivated through daily activities, storytelling, and classroom lessons.