There are several mathematical skills that should be explored during the kindergarten year. Pre-math skills, such as sorting items based on their attributes and identifying and creating patterns introduces children to geometry. Number recognition and one-to-one correspondence familiarizes children with numbers and makes them aware of the value of a numerical symbol. Addition, subtraction and basic graphing skills can also be introduced during the kindergarten year. When teaching mathematics to kindergartners, employ the use of manipulatives--small objects that children can handle and use to represent different mathematical skills. This concrete representation will help students gain a greater understanding of mathematical skills and concepts.
In kindergarten, children should be presented with different language arts activities that promote literacy development, readying them for reading and writing. Present children with activities that promote alphabet recognition, such as identifying letters, matching uppercase letters to lowercase letters, and activities that foster letter-sound recognition. During this grade, you can also begin to promote reading comprehension skills by reading stories aloud and engaging children in pre-, during and post-reading activities. Sight word recognition should also be a part of the language arts curriculum. In regard to writing, children should practice writing letters and should begin writing familiar words, such as their names, colors, days and other sight words. Children can even write and illustrate short stories using inventive spelling.
For preparation in social studies, engage children in activities that help them learn about where they live -- their town, city, state and country. Teaching students their address is an important geographical skill at this level. Students can also begin to learn about important people in history and during current times, including past and present presidents and other world leaders and other important people that have had an impact on the world. In social studies, children should also begin to learn about the cultures of the world.
Kindergartners can learn about the world around them through basic scientific investigations. Children can learn about buoyancy by testing if different items sink or float in water. They can learn about the phases of matter--liquid, solid and gas--by freezing water, melting it and boiling it (an adult should boil the water while children observe). Placing white carnations in vases of colored water can teach them about absorption. Planting seeds can teach them about the life cycle of plants.