The kindergarten year marks the beginning of formal education. As kindergartners are off to school, they use new skills as they learn to read and write. Even though kindergartners may go to school with other school-age children, they still think more like a preschooler. Each area of development is interrelated for kindergartners in their growth.  

Physically 

• Increased eye-hand coordination 

• More coordinated in fine motor skills such as holding a pencil 

• Becomes adept in jumping, running, and skipping 

• Uses scissors well 

• Prints name and other words 

• Begins cutting permanent teeth 

Mentally 

• Follows simple directions and rules 

• Increased verbal communication 

• Sequences and groups objects into sets 

• Begins to read 

• Increased attention span 

• Thinks concretely 

• Begins to solve his own problems  

• Demonstrates a vivid imagination 

Emotionally 

• Develops more emotional stability 

• Grows in ability to work, worship, and play with others  

• Develops sensitive feelings toward others 

• May develop fears because of an active imagination 

• Shows increased control over behaviors 

• Reflects the feelings of those around her 

Socially 

• Becomes increasingly independent 

• Aware of attitudes and actions of others 

• Develops interests in group activities 

• Tests rules 

• Makes friends easily, and may change friends often 

• Likes to help and finds ways to help others 

• Observes roles of people 

• Notices likenesses and differences in people 

• Learns through relationships with others 

• Feels security in being part of a group in the family, church, or school 

Spiritually 

• Increased awareness that God and Jesus can do things people cannot do 

• Understands biblical truths when they are related to his experiences 

• Thinks of the Bible as a special book 

• Remembers brief Bible verses and begins to apply these to her own life 

• Continues to develop a conscience 

• Voices prayers in his own words 

• Becomes aware of ways her church helps people learn about Jesus 

• Expresses concern for others and wants to help others 

• Continues to be literal-minded 

• Understands God’s love through adults who are examples of His love 

Joye Smith served as national WMU preschool consultant for many years.