Learning in Kindergarten

Reading - Kindergarteners go from identifying letters to reading words and short sentences.

Ways to Help at Home

• Read aloud to your child every day. While reading a story, ask your child questions such as, "What do you think will happen next?" "What would you do?" "How do you think that made him feel?"

• Help your child learn "sight words." Look for these common words in everyday situations and in the books you read.

Writing - You child will start the year writing individual letters, and will progress to writing whole worlds and short sentences.

Ways to Help at Home

• Have writing supplies readily available (pencils, crayons, paper, markers)

• Show your child the proper way to hold a pencil and steady the paper.

• Take a break from paper. Practice writing words with sidewalk chalk, finger paint, salt or sugar on a cookie sheet, or with fingers on a steamy window.

Math - In kindergarten, children learn about numbers, counting, sorting, and grouping.

Ways to Help at Home

• Ask your child to bring you specific numbers of objects, such as four forks, or five cups.

• Play board games that require moving a number of spaces, or card games that identify a number such as "Go Fish."

• Look for opportunities to use terms such as more, less, bigger, smaller, taller, shorter, heavier, lighter.

• Have your child sort Legos or blocks by color and shape, or put money coins into categories.

Kindergartners are learning many new skills, and they can become frustrated at times. If your child is feeling discouraged or frustrated, provide encouragement, keep a positive attitude, and be available to help.

Building Independence

You can help your child become more self-sufficient and independent by teaching self-care skills, providing your child with choices, and giving your kindergartner age-appropriate responsibilities.

Ways to Help at Home

• Teach your child how to properly hold utensils, open a milk carton, use a napkin.

• Make sure your child can wash his/her hands and use the bathroom independently.

• Encourage your child to get dressed on their own. Be patient when your child becomes frustrated with zippers or buttons.

• Give your child simple household tasks to complete such as setting the table, watering the plants.

• Have your child develop decision-making skills by giving him/her choices. Choosing what to wear, what to eat for lunch, what games to play.

• Let your child try to problem solve -don't immediately swoop in to help when things get difficult - and celebrate when he/she is successful.

• Do art projects that involve drawing and cutting to help improve fine motor skills.

• Be open to your child's questions, and encourage his/her curiosity by taking trips to museums, nature centers, and aquariums.

• Set up playdates with classmates and encourage your child to take turns, share, and be respectful.