Kindergarten: Definition, age, prep, play and levels

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: August 13, 2023

Kindergarten is a school level for children 4 to 6 years old. It's designed to help children develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills through game-based learning and structured activities.

The curriculum includes language and literacy development, math, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education, among others.

In the kindergarten classes, colorful and engaging age-appropriate toys, books and learning materials are used. The purpose of preschool is to prepare children for success in primary school and provide a strong foundation for their learning and development.

Kindergartners usually start at age 4, depending on the country or state. In some countries, such as France, children start kindergarten as early as age 5. In Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, kindergarten starts at the standard age of 3.

In Europe, children usually start compulsory education in kindergarten at the age of 4-5 years.

The kindergarten curriculum consists of various components, such as language, math, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, handwriting and social-emotional learning.

It focuses on the development of various skills such as reading and writing skills, basic math skills, basic science and civics skills, creativity and fine motor skills, basic music skills, gross motor skills and physical activity, fine motor skills and handwriting, and social and emotional skills.

The kindergarten curriculum lays a strong foundation for educational and personal growth.

There are no specific requirements to pass kindergarten. In general, children are considered ready for 3st grade after mastering certain skills, such as basic academic skills (counting, number recognition, letter recognition, basic reading skills) and basic social, emotional, and physical life skills.

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What is Kindergarten?

Kindergarten is a school level for children 4 to 6 years old, usually the first year of formal education. It's designed to help children develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills through game-based learning and structured activities.

Kindergarten is the name for a form of education for young children in Flanders. This was also the case in the Netherlands until 1985, when it was merged as the first two years of primary school. Kindergarten also exists in other countries. In Germany and the United States, for example, it's called Kindergarten, in France the École maternelle.

The curriculum usually includes language and literacy development, math, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education. Kindergarten classes are colorful and engaging, with age-appropriate toys, books, and learning materials.

Teachers use a variety of learning tools, such as toys, manipulative objects, building kits, tablets, and books, to help children learn and develop important skills.

The purpose of kindergarten is to prepare children for success in elementary school by building a strong foundation for learning and development.

The word “kindergarten” comes from German, where “kinder” means children and “garten” means garden. The term dates back to the 19th century, when Friedrich Fröbel (1782-1852) started kindergarten as a “garden for children” in 1837.

Kindergarten offers numerous benefits to children entering first grade, including promoting language and cognitive skills, promoting social and emotional skills, promoting independence, promoting reading and math skills, encouraging curiosity and developing self-confidence.

In addition, kindergarten provides children with opportunities to develop life skills and build a strong foundation for educational and personal growth.

What is the definition of kindergarten?

The definition of kindergarten is an educational institution for children about five years old, where they play and learn in a structured environment. It's a compulsory stage of education in most countries, where children go during the week to learn and play.

What is a kindergarten classroom setup?

A kindergarten classroom setup consists of three elements that reinforce each other: the environment, play and the relationships. Research by Kirk and Jay (2018) shows that kindergartens where these three elements are present provide more guidance that is desirable and supportive of kindergartners' social and emotional development.

Where did kindergarten originate?

Kindergarten originated in Germany in the 19th century. Friedrich Fröbel, a German reformer and educator, opened the first kindergarten in Blankenburg in 1837. The concept of kindergarten was brought to the United States by German immigrants, and in 1856, Margarethe Schurz opened the first kindergarten in Watertown, Wisconsin.

The idea of ​​kindergartens grew in popularity in America and Europe. In the 1960s and 1970s, more and more states in the United States began offering kindergartens as part of the education program. In countries such as the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and China, high-quality public early childhood education programs are also available for children.

At what age do children start kindergarten?

Kindergarten begins at age 4 in the United States, depending on the state. In other countries, the age at which children enter kindergarten varies.

In France, children start as early as 3 years old, while in Germany, Italy and Spain the standard age for school start is 6 years old. In Switzerland, compulsory kindergarten starts at age 4 or 5. In Europe, the age at which children start compulsory education varies in 33 countries.

In the Netherlands, kindergarten starts from the age of 4, but is only compulsory from the age of 5.

How do you prep your child for kindergarten?

There are several things you can do to prepare your child for kindergarten, some of the most important are:

1. Practice elementary school skills: Practice basic skills like holding a pencil and recognizing letters and numbers.
2. Set clear routines: Set clear bedtime and morning routines to help your child get used to a new schedule.
3. Encourage independence: Encourage your child to be independent and follow the routines.
4. Read aloud every day: Read books to your child to develop language and literacy skills.
5. Play with words: Play games with words to teach your child new vocabulary and develop reading skills.
6. Introduce New Friends: Help your child make new friends by arranging playdates with other preschool-aged children.
7. Give Kids Chores: Give your child age-appropriate chores to develop responsibility and independence.
8. Familiarize the school: Visit the school with your child to familiarize them with the area.
9. Focus on self-reliance: Teach your child self-reliance, such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom and washing hands.
10. Teach responsibility: Help your child learn responsibility by giving tasks such as cleaning up toys.
11. Develop routines: Set routines for meals, playtime, and bedtime to give your child a sense of security and preparation.
12. Ask about your child's feelings: Talk to your child about their feelings and concerns about starting kindergarten to reassure them that it's normal to be nervous.

By following these tips, you can prepare your child for kindergarten and help them become independent and thrive in the new environment.

What should a preschool child know for kindergarten?

Before starting kindergarten, toddlers should be able to do these things.

• Develop basic skills that help them adapt to the new environment and expectations.
• Recognize and write letters in both upper and lower case.
• Recognize and count numbers from 1 to 10.
• Develop fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil or scissors correctly.
• Follow instructions and complete activities in one step.
• Develop self-reliance, such as getting dressed and washing hands.
• Develop social-emotional skills such as expressing feelings, making friends and sharing.
• Learn basic math concepts such as shapes and colors.
• Improve listening and communication skills.
• Show curiosity and interest in the world and actively learn.

These skills are important for preschoolers to be ready for kindergarten, as they help with motor skills, self-care, and important preschool skills.

What are Kindergarten Readiness Skills?

Kindergarten readiness skills are the skills children need to successfully enter kindergarten. These skills include perception, memory, language, thinking skills, problem solving, judgment skills, child recognition skills, in addition to basic academic skills.

School readiness also includes self-grooming, independent toileting, opening lunch boxes, attention and concentration, physical skills such as the stamina to sit upright throughout the school day, emotional regulation, language skills, play and social skills.

What Is Taught in a Kindergarten Academic Curriculum?

A kindergarten curriculum consists of several parts. Here is a list of items and a brief explanation for each item.

1. Language: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing reading, writing and communication skills. Children learn to recognize letters and sounds, read simple words and sentences and write their name and simple sentences.
2. Math: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing basic skills in counting, number recognition, addition and subtraction.
3. Science: The kindergarten curriculum introduces children to basic concepts of science, such as weather, plants, animals, and the human body.
4. Social Studies: The kindergarten curriculum introduces children to basic social studies concepts such as community helpers, cards, and holidays.
5. Art: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing creativity and fine motor skills through activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting.
6. Music: The kindergarten curriculum introduces children to basic concepts of music, such as rhythm, melody and singing.
7. Physical Education: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing gross motor skills and promoting physical activity through games, sports, and other activities.
8. Handwriting: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing fine motor skills and learning to write letters and numbers.
9. Social-Emotional Learning: The kindergarten curriculum focuses on developing social and emotional skills, such as empathy, self-awareness, and self-regulation.

Children also learn basic concepts for them academic development in primary school, such as reading, writing, arithmetic, science, time and shapes, which form a basis for future learning concepts. In addition, they learn important social skills to function well in the school environment.

What type of books are suitable for kindergarten?

The types of books that are suitable for kindergarten include books about starting school, making friends, learning new skills, and developing self-confidence. These books are designed to engage kindergartners with age-appropriate, colorful illustrations and simple language.

In addition to fiction books, kindergartners can also benefit from reading non-fiction books on topics such as science and social studies. Reading books helps kindergartners develop language and literacy skills, expand their vocabulary and foster their love of learning.

According to various sources, such as the AR Reading Levels, Guided Reading Levels, and Lexile Measures, kindergartners can usually read on their own at Levels A to C (Mrs. Judy Araujo, Making English Fun).

What kind of toys are suitable for kindergarten?

Toys for kindergarten should be educational and able to be used in a kindergarten setting. It should help children learn and develop important skills. Educational toys in the classroom encourage hands-on learning and exploration.

The best educational toys support the learning goals of the kindergarten curriculumand helps develop fine and gross motor skills. In addition to toys, learning resources such as books, puzzles and musical instruments are also used to help children learn and develop in kindergarten.

What are kindergarten sight words?

Sight words are words that children should be able to recognize at a glance without having to decode them. The most important sight words for kindergarten are: blue, red, green, black, white, eat, tell, hello, ate, brown, came, good, nice, new, beautiful, ran, drove, saw, fast, went, yes.

Important to note is that the list of sight words for kindergarten may vary depending on the school district, but these words generally help children develop reading skills.

At what level can kindergartners do math?

Kindergarten math level focuses on basic skills such as the following.

• count to 100
• addition and subtraction with 10, 1 and 2
• number recognition from 1 to 20
• recognize and create simple patterns
• create and interpret simple graphs
• understand basic concepts of time
• recognize coins and add up values
• Compare and order objects based on size, height, and weight

What Skills Do Kindergarten Teachers Need?

Kindergarten teachers need to have a variety of skills to effectively teach and care for young children.

The most essential skills are patience, strong communication skills, resourcefulness, physical stamina, classroom management skills, basic math skills, continuing professional development, strong reading skills, good coordination skills, strong speaking skills, monitoring skills, a service-oriented mindset, and flexibility in time management.

What are the requirements to pass kindergarten?

There are no specific requirements to pass kindergarten. Kindergarten is generally considered a prep year and children are expected to learn and master certain skills in order to be ready for 3st grade.

Examples of skills kindergartners are expected to learn include basic academic skills such as counting, number recognition, letter recognition, and basic reading skills. In addition, social, emotional, physical and basic life skills are also considered important.

It's important to note that expectations for kindergartners can vary depending on the school district, but in general these skills are considered important for success in 3st grade.

Parents can help their children develop these skills by doing exercises and encouraging their children to learn and grow.

Does kindergarten have a graduation?

Kindergarten has no official closing, although some schools host a graduation ceremony to celebrate the end of the school year and the children's achievements. Some examples of activities that are organized are awarding certificates, holding class parties and giving special gifts to the children.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.