One thing I was really trying to get a sense of when I started homeschooling was WHAT I needed to teach my kids. I wanted to make sure they were learning what they should be so they were on track. Here are some basic skills to work on with your Kindergarten Kid, this is by no means a comprehensive list. This is just a starting point for you. Remember, some children will know these things already, while others will be able to master them by the time they are done with Kindergarten. That’s ok, work at your child’s pace, let them lead, and teach them skills using themes they love, they are much more likely to pay attention and soak up the knowledge if you use something they are interested in to teach with.
Do you have a little one obsessed with dinosaurs? Use 10 plastic dinosaurs to teach addition, subtraction, and more than less than. Does your child have a fascination with flowers? Use silk flowers to teach ABAB patterns. Play grocery store with your child's pretend food toys to practice money identification. Your day should still include a lot of play-based learning initially.
What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know
Here is the nitty-gritty. I have each subject listed out and some tools that are good to use for each one. Get creative and use what you have around the house, things your child is familiar with, or, use the resources I am suggesting. Whichever is easiest for YOU and your child!
TOP Recommended resource
Wooden Blocks with the Alphabet and Numbers. I can not tell you how much these things helped when teaching my kids numbers and letters. We used them for adding, subtracting, learning the numbers and letters initially, spelling and so much more! You can find these at yard sales or even thrift stores at times too.
Here are even more resources!
Math-
Identifying numbers 1-20- My kids love puzzles so this is a great number and counting activity for them to learn and it's in puzzle form.
Counting 1-20 using one to one correspondence
Basic addition and subtraction
More, less, same
Basic shapes- circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, star, octagon
Time- o’clock, quarter, half-hour: There is a great game that helps teach this, and since it is in-game form, it's fun to learn!
Ordinal numbers- first, second, third, etc,
Recognizing money
Calendar
Patterning and Sequencing
Reading
Identifying uppercase and lowercase letters
Know all the sounds the letters make
Recognize own first and last name
Identifying simple sight words like; I, am, to, at, go,
Sitting quietly and listening to story
Reading comprehension
Learning to identify beginning, middle, and end of story
Writing
Proper pencil grasp
Uppercase and lowercase letters
Writing 1 to 20
Writing First and Last name
Science
Classifying living/nonliving
Weather
Temperature
Seasons
Space- sun, moon, stars, planets
Caring for plants/animals
Nature
Habitats/Environments
Social Studies-
Their own phone number and address
Learning the Pledge of Allegiance
Name of their city, state, country
Various types of families
Community Workers
Meanings of Federal holidays
Traditions
Other cultures
Self Help skills-
Tying shoes
Dressing/undressing self
Proper bathroom habits
Good hygiene habits
Keeping track of their belongings
Keeping a tidy workspace
Don’t forget to include a lot of physical activity throughout the day. Kicking a ball outside, swinging at the park, stretching in the morning, or a backyard obstacle course are all great ways to get some exercise.
Also include LOTS of reading. We start the day reading a few books and then have an afternoon reading time as well!
I am a mom to 5 kids, homeschool mom, blogger, social media junkie, Frugalista, Book Worm, and Closet Want-to-be Chef. We are a Roadschool family (homeschooling on the road while traveling fulltime).
I grew up learning ways to save from my mom and grandma. I started my own coupon journey when my first child was born in 2009 and started the blog on 2010 when baby #2 was born to share my tips with everyone who kept asking about how I was getting diapers for $1 a pack!
Click here to learn more about starting a blog.
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Thank you so much for this list. I will begin homeschooling my 5 and 4 year old in the fall and this will keep me on track. I will definitely be following your blog. Great tips!
This is such a great list, thanks for sharing! I’m starting my oldest in Kindergarten home school this fall, this is a great starting point.
Thank you i need this!
Hi there! Do you have a printable for this list? I’d love to get a copy.
No I don’t at this time but that a great idea for me to work on!