Kindergarten is the grade that bridges students’ preschool educations with their future elementary school learning. There is still plenty of playing, singing, and craft-making in kindergarten, but it is often balanced with more rigorous writing, reading, and math lessons. Kindergartners also continue to learn and get used to the routines of school, how to work in groups, and how to be successful students.
The expectations for what students should achieve, and specifically whether they should know how to read and write by the end of kindergarten, varies across schools. Consult with your child’s school and teacher for details regarding specific philosophies and curriculum.
Kindergarten classrooms are often organized by centers or areas that are divided by different subjects and different types of play. For example, a typical kindergarten classroom may have the following centers: reading, arts and crafts, building and math toys, and a "pretend play" area. The school day is structured with both time for free play (during which children can choose which centers to play in) and structured scheduled lessons devoted to each subject.
Research has shown that participants in full-day kindergartens often achieve higher standardized test scores in the future and generally excel in school. In addition, they develop strong social skills as they engage in more child-to-child interactions and develop their interpersonal skills.
Don’t forget to check out our extensive resources on homework help for kindergarten here.
