KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten is when children begin learning how letters and sounds work together to help them read and write words. They practice hearing sounds in words, learn common words they see often, and begin reading and writing simple sentences. Listening to books read aloud helps them grow their comprehension, vocabulary, and knowledge about the word.
Explore this page for grade-level goals, activities, and resources!
Language
Spoken language is the foundation of all literacy and is one of the easiest areas to develop at home through experiences and conversations.
END OF KINDERGARTEN GOALS
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Ask and answer questions by speaking in complete sentences.
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Use new words and phrases they’ve learned through conversations and reading activities.
TOP TIPS TO HELP AT HOME
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Talk all the time! Engage in back-and-forth
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conversations as much as you can.
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Use big words, sentences, and ideas to help your child learn complex language.
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Expose your child to new vocabulary through books and other educational content.
ACTIVITIES
Family Literacy Activities
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RESOURCES
Reading 101 for Parents
Articles
Learning to Read
In order to read and sound out words, Kindergarteners are developing their phonemic awareness (recognizing and playing with sounds in words) and phonics knowledge (knowing how letters connect to sounds).
END OF KINDERGARTEN GOALS
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Recognize and name all UPPER and lowercase letters and their sounds.
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Recognize and say sounds at the beginning, middle, and end of words.
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Read grade-level texts containing words with simple spelling and common high-frequency words (e.g. the, is, like).
TOP TIPS TO HELP AT HOME
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Frequently point out and talk about letters and words in your environment.
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Sing songs and play games with the sounds in words.
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Talk to your child’s teacher about the phonics skills they are learning in school, so you can practice the same skills at home.
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As your child begins to learn to read, practice with simple texts made for beginning readers. Decodable texts are specially written so beginning readers will be able to sound out the words. Ask your child’s teacher if they can share texts that go with what they are learning at school!
ACTIVITIES
Family Literacy Activities
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Phonics Learning Apps
RESOURCES
Decodable Texts for Reading Practice
Reading 101 for Parents
Reading Together
Kindergarteners practice reading comprehension (understanding what is read) mostly by listening to books that are read to them by an adult.
END OF KINDERGARTEN GOALS
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Talk about who is in a story (characters), where it happens (setting), and what takes place (events).
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Listen to an informational book and talk about what the book is about and some details that they learned.
TOP TIPS TO HELP AT HOME
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Help your child develop a love of reading by making it a fun experience where they get to connect with you.
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Ask questions and have conversations about the book to help your child build their comprehension.
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Set a goal to read for 20 minutes every day! If you don’t have a habit of reading yet, start small and build up. Having a set reading time (like before bed) can help.
ACTIVITIES
Family Literacy Activities
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Virtual Story Time on Demand
RESOURCES
Book Lists and Recommendations
Books For Families from Community Partners
Reading 101 for Parents
Articles
Writing
Writing can be the most challenging area of literacy because it requires children to coordinate skills like handwriting and spelling while also thinking of ideas.
END OF KINDERGARTEN GOALS
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Write name.
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Print all UPPER and lowercase letters.
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Spell simple words (top, fin, cat) using what they know about letters and sounds. For harder words, it is normal for Kindergarteners to use “invented spelling” by listening to the sounds.
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Draw pictures and add details to show ideas.
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Write complete sentences with the first letter capitalized and ending punctuation.
TOP TIPS TO HELP AT HOME
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Celebrate all attempts at writing! Try to keep writing time enjoyable and low pressure.
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Remember that drawing is an important part of writing for young children. Encourage your child to draw a picture first to show their ideas, then add writing.
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Encourage your child to use what they know about letters and sounds to write words. Avoid correcting spelling or telling them how to spell every word.
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Help your child learn how to form the letters correctly. Avoid tracing activities without adult support.
ACTIVITIES
Family Literacy Activities
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RESOURCES
Reading 101 for Parents
Articles