Kindergarten CS Curriculum

Algorithms are everywhere.

In Kindergarten, students discover that algorithms are everywhere, whether it is brushing teeth, steps to get dressed, or learning classroom routines. With a little practice, step-by-step instructions become automatic. Maybe when you are learning to get dressed, you need to think about each step. But pretty soon, when someone asks you to get dressed, you do not need all of those details. The same is true with a computer. We teach the computer an algorithm and it does it automatically for us. When you start thinking about this, we bet you will start to see algorithms everywhere too!  We can even create our own algorithms to teach people, and robots, how to do things. 

Integrated Lessons

Introduced Vocabulary

• Algorithm (The "Recipe"): A list of steps you follow to finish a task, like the order you put on your clothes in the morning. 

• Attribute (The "Detail"): A characteristic of something, like its color, shape, or size, that helps us sort it or find patterns.

• Command (The "Instruction"): A single direction that tells a person or a device what to do, like "Hop" or "Move Forward."

• Data (The "Information"): Facts or numbers we collect to learn things, like counting how many friends wore sneakers today.

• Sequence (The "Order"): The specific order that steps must happen in. If the order is wrong, the result might change!

• Private Information (The "Secrets"): Personal details that you should only share with trusted adults, like where you live or your passwords.

• Computing System (The "Tool"): A device or machine (like a tablet or a computer) that people use to help them solve problems or do work.

Summary of PreK/K CS Learning Goals

At the Pre-K and Kindergarten level, computer science is all about foundational thinking. It’s less about sitting in front of a screen and more about teaching little learners how to organize their thoughts, follow steps, and understand the world around them.

• Students will learn how to follow and create simple steps. Children learn that an "algorithm" is just a sequence of actions—like the steps to brush their teeth or the order of movements in a dance. They practice putting things in the right order to get a result.

• Students will learn how to spot patterns and make predictions. By looking at the attributes of objects (like size or color), children learn to notice "what comes next." This is the first step in understanding how technology uses data to make decisions.

• Students will learn how to find and fix "bugs" in a plan. If a sequence of commands doesn't work as expected, students are encouraged to identify which step went wrong. This builds resilience and shows that mistakes are just puzzles to be solved.

• Students will learn how to recognize technology and data in their daily lives. Children explore how tools help people solve problems at home and at school. They also learn that we can collect information (data) to help us answer simple questions or make decisions.

• Students will learn how to be safe and responsible digital citizens. Students start learning the difference between "private" and "public" information. They practice kind behavior when using tools and learn that people are the ones who design and build technology.

TIP: You can reinforce these words or explore these ideas during everyday routines. When a child is getting ready for recess, you might say, "I like the sequence of your winter gear—boots first, then your coat!" or "Let's look at the attributes of these blocks to see how they fit together!"