Preschool is a land of wonder and magic, where kids embark on exciting learning and exploration adventures. From socializing with their peers to unraveling the world’s mysteries, preschool is where kids lay the foundation for their future education.
And today, we’ll unveil 35 quirky, exciting things that kids learn in preschool that are essential for their growth and development.
Essential Skills that kids learn in Preschool
Numbers
In preschool, kids learn to count, add, subtract, and recognize numbers. They explore the fascinating world of math through fun games and activities, and before you know it, they’ll be calculating their way to the moon!
Letters
Kids learn to recognize and write letters, sing the alphabet song, and even make their own alphabet dance moves. They’ll also develop phonemic awareness and start to read, unlocking the secrets of the written word.
Shapes
Preschoolers learn about shapes, from circles to triangles to stars. They’ll explore the world around them, pointing out figures in everyday objects like cars, trees, and sandwiches.
Colors
Kids learn about colors, discovering the rainbow of hues that paint our world. They’ll mix and match colors, paint masterpieces, and name shades like “turquoise” and “chartreuse” like pros.
Sharing
Sharing is caring, and in preschool, kids learn to take turns, share toys, and play nicely with others. They’ll learn the art of compromise, negotiation, and even diplomacy!
Empathy
Preschool is the perfect place to teach kids how to be empathetic superheroes! They learn to understand and identify emotions, putting themselves in other people’s shoes and becoming more socially aware. From learning to share toys to comforting a friend, preschoolers are constantly building empathy muscles.
Responsibility
Preschoolers are tiny humans with significant responsibilities! They learn to take responsibility for their actions, follow the rules, and be accountable for their behavior.
Whether caring for classroom pets or cleaning up their toys, preschoolers are taught to be responsible little humans.
Problem-Solving
Preschoolers are like little detectives, always eager to solve problems and think critically. They learn to think outside the box, analyze situations, and develop creative solutions.
From figuring out how to build a tower with blocks to finding the missing puzzle piece, preschoolers are developing essential skills to help them throughout their education.
Creativity
Preschool is a world of endless possibilities where children can unleash their creativity and imagination!
Kids can explore their creative side in many ways, from painting, drawing, and sculpture to music, drama, and dance. They learn how to express themselves, think outside the box, and create unique works of art.
Independence
Preschoolers are all about doing things for themselves and gaining independence and self-confidence. They learn to wear their shoes, dress themselves, and care for their needs.
This builds their self-esteem and makes them more confident in their abilities. Preschoolers are taught to be self-sufficient and resilient little humans by encouraging independence.
Following Directions
Preschoolers learn to listen and follow directions, which may seem like a small feat, but it is a crucial skill for their future education.
Plus, watching their little minds work as they try to figure out which way is left and right is hilarious. The Left is the one with the hand that makes an L shape, right?
Personal Hygiene
Preschoolers may not always smell like roses, but they are taught about personal hygiene, such as washing their hands, brushing their teeth, and caring for themselves.
You can always tell which kids had a thorough lesson on hygiene by the number of soap bubbles left on their faces after washing their hands.
Respect
Children learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them. This includes understanding the value of kindness and empathy and respecting boundaries and personal space.
It’s incredible to see how much respect preschoolers have for their peers’ rooms until you give them a ball to play with.
Diversity
Preschoolers learn about diversity and the importance of respecting and valuing differences. They know that everyone is unique and special and that our differences should be celebrated.
It’s heartwarming to see how accepting and inclusive preschoolers can be, even if they can’t pronounce each other’s names correctly yet.
Nature
Preschoolers are introduced to the wonders of the great outdoors, where they can explore, observe and learn about the natural world around them.
Whether it’s a butterfly fluttering around, a caterpillar crawling up a tree, or a spider spinning its web, preschoolers can learn valuable lessons about the environment and develop an appreciation for nature.
Imagination
Imagination is the key to unlocking a child’s creativity and storytelling abilities. In preschool, children are encouraged to use their imagination to create stories, draw pictures and play games.
This fosters their imagination, helps them think creatively, and stimulates their cognitive abilities, setting them up for success in future academic pursuits.
Teamwork
Preschoolers learn the importance of teamwork and cooperation as they work together to solve problems, complete tasks, and participate in group activities. They know how to share, take turns, and work towards a common goal, laying the foundation for positive social interactions in the future.
Communication
Children learn how to communicate effectively with their peers and teachers through various activities, such as show-and-tell circle time and group discussions.
They develop their language skills, learn how to express their thoughts and feelings and practice listening to others, which are essential communication skills they will use throughout their lives.
Listening
Preschoolers don’t just hear sounds; they learn to listen actively to others, developing essential communication skills. This means paying attention to what someone is saying and responding appropriately, which can be challenging for squirmy little ones.
Gross Motor Skills
Kids run, jump, climb, and explore physical activities, which help them develop their gross motor skills. They’ll be swinging from monkey bars and hopping like bunnies soon!
Fine Motor Skills
Children develop fine motor skills through drawing, cutting, and manipulating small objects. They might even surprise you with their ability to cut out a perfect circle!
Time Management
Preschoolers learn about time management, but in a way, that’s fun and engaging! They know how to organize their day with playtime, nap, and snack time. They might not yet understand the concept of time, but they’ll learn to follow a routine.
Sequencing
Preschoolers learn about sequencing and ordering events, which helps them develop critical cognitive skills. For example, they’ll know you must put on your shoes before playing outside.
Memory
Kids develop memory skills by memorizing songs, stories, and other information. They might even surprise you with their ability to remember the words to a whole song after only hearing it a few times!
Taking Care of Pets
Preschoolers learn about the joys and responsibilities of having pets, including feeding, grooming, and showing love and care to furry friends.
Cooking Adventures
Children unleash their inner chefs and learn about healthy eating habits by preparing simple and fun snacks and meals with their peers.
Mad Scientist
Preschoolers dive into the world of science, conducting experiments and making observations to discover the world’s wonders.
Explorer Extraordinaire
Kids embark on a journey to explore the world, learning about different cultures, landmarks, and geographical features while honing their map-reading skills.
Time Traveler
Children step into the past to learn about important events and historical figures through stories, songs, and role-playing activities.
Confident Kids Club
Preschoolers boost their self-confidence by receiving positive reinforcement and support from teachers and classmates and celebrating their achievements, big and small.
Curiosity
Buckle up, folks, because curiosity is the fuel that drives our little explorers to dive headfirst into the world’s mysteries. By asking questions, trying new things, and embarking on wild adventures, preschoolers develop their natural curiosity and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning.
Kindness
Kindness makes the world go round, and it all starts in preschool! Here, children learn the importance of treating others with respect and compassion.
Through simple empathy and caring, our little ones become beacons of love and kindness that improve the world.
Problem-Solving
Preschoolers are problem-solving ninjas! Whether figuring out puzzles, tackling challenges, or outsmarting their friends in games, our little geniuses develop critical problem-solving skills that will serve them well in all areas of life.
Friendship
Making friends and having fun is what preschool is all about! Kids learn about cooperation, teamwork, and being good friends by socializing and playing with their peers.
These essential social skills will stick with them for life and help them navigate the ups and downs of the real world.
Fun
Learning can be a blast, and preschoolers know how to bring the party! From arts and crafts to music and dance, our little learners engage in exciting activities that spark their imaginations and foster their love for learning.
Preschool is a magical time where children develop a solid foundation of skills that will set them up for success in all areas of life. From critical thinking to creativity, independence to friendship, the skills learned in preschool will benefit kids for years.
So let’s raise a glass to the wonder and joy of preschool and all the fantastic things little ones learn during this exciting time!
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)