In kindergarten, every day is a learning adventure. Far from being limited to fun activities, children develop essential skills that will lay the foundation for their entire schooling. Let’s discover together the five major areas that structure these first steps toward knowledge.
1. Mobilize language in all its dimensions
Language is central to learning in preschool. It allows children to communicate, express their emotions, and structure their thinking. This domain includes two aspects: oral language and the gradual introduction to writing.
Oral language develops through interactions with adults and other children. Teachers encourage speaking, expand vocabulary, and help structure sentences. Through nursery rhymes, stories, and role-playing, children hear a variety of words and can express their thoughts clearly and precisely.
The introduction to writing begins with the discovery of books, the recognition of letters and sounds, as well as the introduction to writing. Children learn to handle writing materials (pencils, markers, slates), which improves their fine motor skills. They also discover the correspondence between oral and written language through dictation to adults and the first attempts at spontaneous writing.
The joy of reading is also encouraged from a very early age. Teachers regularly read stories to children to enrich their imagination and understanding of the story. The goal isn’t to learn to read independently yet, but to awaken a natural curiosity for words and texts. This in-depth work helps build the solid foundations needed to learn to read and write in primary school.
2. Act, express yourself, and understand through physical activity
The benefits of sports in preschool are numerous. Physical activity isn’t just about exerting energy: it also helps children develop body awareness, coordination, and interaction with others. Movement is essential for the healthy development of young children, from a motor, cognitive, and social perspective.
Children explore different actions: running, jumping, climbing, throwing, catching… These movements improve gross and fine motor skills. Motor skills courses, team games, and dances allow them to better control their movements and learn to cooperate. Using hoops, balls, or ropes, they work on their balance and agility while having fun.
This area also contributes to emotional and spatial management. By playing with rules, children learn patience, respect for instructions, and the joy of teamwork. They also discover the notion of effort and perseverance, valuable qualities for the rest of their school career.
Furthermore, physical education promotes concentration and well-being. A child who has the opportunity to move regularly is often more relaxed and ready for other learning activities. Through activities like yoga or relaxation exercises, children learn to better manage their energy and emotions.Â
3. Act, express yourself, and understand through artistic activities
Art is a wonderful means of expression and discovery. Through drawing, painting, music, theater, and even dance, children develop their imagination and refine their sensory perceptions. This field also allows them to better understand the world and explore different forms of communication.
Through visual arts activities, they explore colors, shapes, and textures. By manipulating paint, modeling clay, or scissors, they refine their fine motor skills. They also learn to observe their environment and transcribe what they see in their own way. Teachers encourage free creation, but also the reproduction of models to work on the precision of movement.
Music and physical expression stimulate rhythm and coordination. Through singing, children discover new words and develop their auditory memory. Rhythm games with instruments promote concentration and a sense of tempo. Dance and body movements help them become aware of their bodies and express emotions in ways other than words.
Theater and role-playing are also good tools for building self-confidence and public speaking skills. By imitating characters or inventing stories, children exercise their creativity while working on their articulation and expressiveness. Therefore, artistic activities in kindergarten are essential for allowing children to better understand themselves and others.
4. Acquire the first mathematical tools
Mathematics in kindergarten is not limited to numbers: it allows children to structure their thinking and understand the world around them. It is a progressive learning process, based on manipulation and experimentation.
Early learning begins with manipulating objects. Counting, comparing, classifying, and arranging—these activities develop a sense of number and logic. Construction games, puzzles, and stringing beads are all tools to foster these skills. For example, by stacking blocks or sorting shapes, children develop their organizational and reasoning skills.
Children also discover shapes, sizes, and spatial concepts (inside, outside, beside, etc.). Through games like tangrams or geometry with sticks, they learn to recognize shapes and name them. Little by little, they become familiar with early mathematical concepts using concrete everyday situations, such as sharing a snack or measuring a rope.
The main goal is to make sense of numbers and quantities without pressure. It’s not about learning to calculate too early, but about understanding the basics of mathematical reasoning so that you’re ready to explore these concepts in more depth in elementary school.
5. Explore the world
From a very young age, children are curious about everything. This area allows them to observe, question, and understand their environment. It encompasses the discovery of time, space, science, and human relationships and can be put into practice through field trips and classroom activities.
They discover time and space: the days of the week, the seasons, and landmarks at school or at home. The first notions of science are approached through simple experiments: observing the germination of a seed, understanding the states of water, and recognizing animals and plants.
Exploring the world also includes discovering others. Children learn to live together, respect rules, and develop their independence. They become aware of their bodies, the needs of others, and cultural diversity. This area is essential for preparing children to become curious and open-minded citizens.
The five areas of learning in preschool form a coherent whole, where each acquired skill nourishes the others. By cultivating curiosity, expression, motor skills, and socialization, preschool prepares children to grow, learn, and flourish to their full potential.
