BlogSchool Resources for KidsWhat Kids Learn in Kindergarten: 10 Key Subjects and Skills

What Kids Learn in Kindergarten: 10 Key Subjects and Skills

In the United States, what kids learn in kindergarten differs by state, but key subjects typically include math, reading, writing, science, arts, and social studies. Extracurricular activities also play an important role in providing a well-rounded learning experience for kindergarteners.

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A 2010 study found that a strong kindergarten education significantly impacts academic success and overall life achievements. The right age to start kindergarten varies, but it typically welcomes kids between 4-6 years old—some coming with a preschool experience, while for others, it’s their first time in a classroom setting. 

There’s another report that highlights the importance of kindergarten readiness. Children who enter kindergarten well-prepared have a clear advantage over those who aren’t. So, start your child’s kindergarten journey off right! Also, if your child didn’t attend preschool, don’t worry—this blog can help them catch up and thrive: What Do Kids Learn in Preschool: 7 Important Concepts & Skills.

What Is Taught to Kids in Kindergarten?

Teaching kindergarten involves careful preparation, lesson planning, and the right resources. The skills children learn in kindergarten can shape their entire educational journey. But what is taught in kindergarten? What are the crucial kindergarten topics? Let’s explore and take a closer look at essential things typically taught in kindergarten!!

1. Reading in Kindergarten

Reading and writing in kindergarten

Kindergarteners develop reading skills at their own pace, and some may need extra time before formal reading instruction. It’s important to make reading a fun, positive experience, not just an academic task. Kids should explore both stories and informational books to build a balanced foundation. 

Understanding the kindergarten reading level is key to providing the right support. Make reading part of their daily routine with activities like reading aloud, sharing favorite books, partner reading, and simple literacy games. Engaging in lively discussions about stories also boosts their comprehension and keeps them excited about reading!

Here are essential topics that are typically covered in kindergarten reading instruction and fun learning activities you can use to kickstart your child’s learning journey:

  • Learning the names of the letters of the alphabet. 

i) Alphabet Songs: Begin with fun alphabet songs (ABC rhymes). 

ii) Alphabet Flashcards: Use letter flashcards and ask kids to name each one. 

iii) Interactive Alphabet Games: Play is a child’s natural way of learning. So, here are some interactive letter-matching games and memory games focusing on key skills, such as identifying letters, matching uppercase and lowercase letters, and mastering the alphabet sequence:

iv) Practice naming letters with magnetic letters on the fridge.

  • A comprehensive introduction to the most common letter sounds.

i) Connect Letters with Objects: Connect each letter with a familiar object and sound. Use flashcards or sing songs emphasizing letter sounds, like “A is for apple, a-a-apple” or “B says b, b, b as in ball.”

ii) Phonics Games: Practice listening and repeating sounds with games that isolate phonemes. This helps kids hear and differentiate sounds before connecting them to letters. Kids will also explore words starting with a specific letter!

iii) Play a matching game with pictures and their corresponding letter sounds.

  • Decoding short vowel sounds. 

i) CVC Word Flashcards: Use flashcards with CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words to highlight the short vowel sound. Practice identifying short vowel sounds in simple words like “cat” and “dog.”

ii) Short Vowel Sound Games: Play games that help kids use both sound and sight to master short vowel sounds. In these games, kids will tackle challenges like filling in the correct vowel sound to build a given word.

iii) Sorting: Sort words based on short vowel sounds, like words with “a” in one group and “e” in another.

  • Blending individual sounds to form words. Blending and segmenting syllables, onsets, and rimes. 

i) Introduce the concept of blending with simple two or three-letter words (e.g., CVC words like bat). Remember, short, frequent practice sessions are more effective. Sound out letters like /c/, /a/, and /t/, then blend them together to say “cat.”

ii) Clap to break words into syllables, like “ta-ble” for “table.”

iii) Incorporate fun games that focus on blending sounds. In these games, kids learn how two letters can work together and make a single sound—digraphs!

iv) Play a game by giving the onset (like /c/) and the rime (/at/), then blend to say “cat.”

  • Recognizing common sight words. 

i) Teach sight words to kindergarteners using flashcards.

ii) Read simple books and ask kids to point out sight words they recognize.

iii) Make sight word learning fun and effective with engaging games and sensory activities. Kids hear and read a sight word, spot it in a group of mixed words, and drag it into a minecart for a playful experience. Through repetition, they quickly recognize and remember sight words, boosting their reading skills effortlessly!

  • Identifying and creating rhyming words.  

i) To teach rhyming words to kindergarteners, use rhyming books, songs, and nursery rhymes to help children recognize word patterns. 

ii) Play a game where you say a word like “cat,” and they come up with a rhyming word like “hat.”

iii) Try these fun games that teach kids how to create rhyming words. Kids will explore rhyming patterns, learn letter sounds, and swap initial sounds to form new words. For example, consider the word family –atch. Kids will replace the missing letter with “m,” “p,” or “b” to make rhyming words “match,” “patch,” and “batch.” 

  • Identifying literary and informational texts.

(LITERATURE: picture books, stories, drama, poetry, fiction, fairytales, nursery rhymes, folk tales, tall tales, and other literary texts. INFORMATIONAL TEXTS: picture books, non-fiction, biographies, autobiographies, books and articles about science, art, history, social studies, and information displayed in charts, graphs, or maps.)

i) Read a story or a short article together and ask if it’s a literature or informational text. 

ii) Discuss why a particular piece of text is considered to be literature or informational text.

  • Retell stories or share key details from a text.

i) After reading a story, create or print out picture cards representing key events. Ask your child to arrange the cards in the correct order and retell the story using the cards as prompts.

ii) Ask your child to draw three pictures: one for the beginning, one for the middle, and one for the end of the story. Then, have them use the pictures to summarize the story in their own words.

iii) Try these engaging worksheets. Here, kids will observe a picture and list key details, match pictures with the main idea, and practice sequencing steps to make a meaningful story or recipe.

  • Identify characters, settings, and significant events in a story.

i) Use picture books to discuss the characters and where the story takes place.

ii) Have your child choose their favorite character, setting, and event from the story and act it out. This helps them recall and understand the story elements in a fun, interactive way. For example, if the story is The Three Little Pigs, ask your child to pick their favorite character (e.g., the Big Bad Wolf), setting (e.g., the brick house), and event (e.g., when the wolf tries to blow down the house).

iii) Give your child a reading advantage with our printable worksheets. In these exercises, kids will enjoy illustrating their favorite characters, creating their own stories using given prompts, filling in details about characters and settings, and more such fun activities!

To explore excellent reading material for kindergarten kids, check out this curated list of the best kindergarten books—perfect for reading to your little ones!

Related Reading: Best Reading Activities That Turn Kids into Book Lovers

2. Writing in Kindergarten

Writing is another fundamental skill that children learn in kindergarten. Instead of perfecting techniques, focus on encouraging children to express their thoughts and ideas on paper through engaging writing prompts.

Here are the most essential topics covered in kindergarten writing instruction:

  • Learning how to hold a pencil correctly. Practicing tracing and writing the letters of the alphabet. 

i) Show them how to grip the pencil and hold it properly. Use pencil grips or crayons to guide their finger placement.

ii) Provide tracing worksheets where kids can follow dotted lines to form uppercase and lowercase letters.

iii) Try interactive games that help kids trace letters with sleeping, standing, slanting, and curvy lines! 

  • Writing simple words and phrases. Composing short sentences. 

i) Once kids feel confident writing the alphabet, inspire them to trace and write simple, everyday words—number names, their first name, sight words, etc., using large paper or a whiteboard.

ii) Ask them to write a sentence describing their day, like “I saw a dog.” Provide sentence starters like “I like…” or “The cat is…” and let them complete it.

iii) Try these printables to strengthen your child’s handwriting and expand their vocabulary! Kids will trace various words—number names, sight words, flower names, food items, and more!

  • Expressing opinions, sharing information, and telling stories using drawings, talking, or writing.

i) Opinion Drawing: Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite activity, toy, or food, and then have them explain why they like it. This helps them express their opinions visually and verbally.

ii) Here’s a fun worksheet to encourage your child to express their opinions through writing:

  • Responding to stories, books, or their own experiences by acting them out, drawing pictures, or writing poems.

i) Encourage them to tell a story out loud or write a few words about something they did in school.

ii) Have them act out a favorite scene from a book or a real-life experience.

iii) Creative writing helps kids use their imagination to tell stories and write fun things. You will be surprised by your child’s unique and exciting ideas! Consider using these printables that engage kids in fun activities like writing to-do lists, poems, and thank-you notes!

3. Language Development (Communication and Vocabulary) in Kindergarten

Kids need to talk with parents, teachers, and friends to improve communication skills. Talking helps kids express feelings, follow rules, and connect with others. Encourage them to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Communication is part of kids’ everyday lives!

Here are essential communication skills and vocabulary concepts taught in Kindergarten and simple activities to support your child’s learning:

  • Communicate by trying new words, joining conversations, asking questions, listening closely, starting conversations, and choosing how they want to express themselves. 

i) Encourage kids to use new words by asking them to describe objects or actions around them.

ii) Play a game where they must listen closely and respond to simple instructions.

iii) Let them initiate conversations by asking what they want to talk about.

iv) Use fun resources that encourage kids to think and express themselves. Here are engaging printables designed to boost kids’ listening and speaking skills through activities like following directions or talking about self-traits:

  • Building vocabulary by following instructions, matching words to pictures, and exploring new words in stories, conversations, and everyday descriptions. 

i) Picture-Word Match: Provide your child with a set of pictures and corresponding words. Ask them to match each picture with the correct word, reinforcing their understanding of the new vocabulary.

ii) The more kids hear and use words in different situations, the more quickly they learn new words. Try these vocabulary worksheets and help kids explore synonyms, antonyms, crosswords, puzzles, and more! 

  • Using facial expressions, body language, and gestures to have conversations.

i) Play a game where they express emotions using only facial expressions and guess the feeling. Encourage them to use hand gestures while telling a story.

ii) Play charades to help them express ideas through gestures and actions.

  • Learning new things by asking questions, understanding words in stories and conversations, trying to use new words, and comparing things they already know.

i) Encourage them to ask “why” questions about their surroundings or daily activities.

ii) During conversations, prompt them to use new words they hear to reinforce learning.

iii) Ask them to guess the meaning of a new word by comparing it to something they know. For example, “Gigantic means really, really big. Can you think of something that’s gigantic?”

4. Math in Kindergarten

Kindergarten math is much more than learning numbers and counting! This grade also introduces key math concepts like teen numbers, addition, subtraction, and measurement

This article by Hechinger’s report discusses the importance of kindergarten math education and the need for more comprehensive instruction beyond basic counting and shapes. It highlights a study showing that students who spent more time on advanced math concepts in kindergarten performed better in later grades.

Teaching Kindergarten math requires a hands-on approach. Help kids visualize math concepts using teaching tools, math manipulatives (such as blocks or beads), and online games. Here are essential math topics covered in kindergarten and engaging resources parents can use to give their child an early edge:

  • Recognizing numbers up to 20. 

i) Ask kids to point out numbers on a calendar, clock, storybooks, or newspapers.

ii) Keep an eye out for numbers they find tricky and use fun visual resources to help them improve.

iii) Consider these interactive games that encourage students to identify number cards by number sounds. They will also revise number sequences.

  • Writing numbers from 0 to 20. 

i) Use number tracing worksheets to reinforce writing numbers up to 20.  Consider these worksheets that beautifully blend coloring with tracing numbers, helping kids connect numbers with quantity while improving their handwriting skills.

ii) Consider these tracing games that involve dragging a cursor to trace numbers. Kids will enjoy plowing a farm in the shape of numbers to grow flowers and fruits. This strengthens finger muscles and helps kids remember each number’s unique shape while having a blast.

  • Counting numbers up to 20. Counting to 100 by ones and tens.

i) Encourage kids to count different objects around the house, such as books, chairs, or doors. 

ii) Count toys, snacks, or blocks up to 20. Count steps while walking up to 20.

iii) Use a number chart to count to 100 by ones and tens. 

iv) Group items in tens and count them together to 100.

v) Include interactive counting games in kids’ play routines. Boost learning early on with activities like counting objects in different arrangements:

  • Comparing numbers and groups of objects up to 10. 

i) Compare two groups of toys and ask which has more or fewer toys, up to 10.

ii) Consider these fun number comparison games that help kids understand the concepts of less, more, and equal to. 

  • Composing and decomposing teen numbers 11-19 as “10 and some more.” 

i) Write “10” and have kids add dots to show “some more” to reach 11-19.

ii) Give them objects to count in teen numbers. Ask them to first make a group of 10 and then count leftovers.

iii) Consider these engaging printable worksheets where kids will practice representing teen numbers on 10-frames, comparing teen numbers, and identifying the number represented on the visuals.

  • Adding and subtracting numbers up to 10. 

i) Use visuals to help kids grasp the idea of “one more” and “one less.” Then, gradually introduce concepts like “putting things together” and “taking things apart.” 

ii) Practice adding and subtracting with fingers up to 10.

iii) These interactive games encourage kids to practice basic addition and subtraction using pictures, subitizing, and more through fun gameplay!

  • Finding the number pairs that add up to 10. 

i) Use fingers to show different pairs that make 10.

ii) Create a puzzle game where they match number pairs that make 10. 

iii) These making-10 games help kids master addition facts of 10 through engaging activities, like identifying number pairs and completing number bonds. Best of all, the games feature fun characters and playful challenges, giving kids a sense of accomplishment as they learn!

  • Understanding, creating, and extending simple patterns. 

i) Create a simple pattern with blocks (red, blue, red, blue) or number pattern like 1, 2, 1, 2,.. and ask them to continue it.

ii) Clap in a number pattern (clap twice, stomp once) and have them follow along.

iii) Pattern recognition comes naturally to kids through hands-on exploration. Try these printables to give your child a head start in understanding patterns—perfect for creating small task cards on counting sequences and identifying missing numbers!

i) Use flashcards to show basic 2D shapes (circle, square) and 3D shapes (sphere, cube) and ask them to name each.

ii) Find 2D shapes in books and 3D shapes in toys around the house.

iii) Use exciting games that challenge kids to identify, sort, and name shapes: