Kindergarten: a year of learning through play
A ready-to-use plan for parents and teachers. There are 36 weeks (about 180 school days) with short lessons of 10 to 20 minutes, hands-on play and picture games for your child.
Find today’s plan
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The year
Every month from September to June has day-by-day plans with steps, materials and a printable page, plus a month overview and a plan for each week.
- SeptemberWelcome to School / All About MeWeeks 1–4Day-by-day plans
- OctoberFall / Apples & PumpkinsWeeks 5–8Day-by-day plans
- NovemberFamily & Thanksgiving / AnimalsWeeks 9–11Day-by-day plans
- DecemberWinter & HolidaysWeeks 12–14Day-by-day plans
- JanuaryNew Year / Weather & Polar AnimalsWeeks 15–18Day-by-day plans
- FebruaryFriendship / Feelings / HealthWeeks 19–22Day-by-day plans
- MarchSpring / Plants & GrowthWeeks 23–26Day-by-day plans
- AprilEarth & Environment / InsectsWeeks 27–30Day-by-day plans
- MayOceans / Transportation / End of YearWeeks 31–34Day-by-day plans
- JuneReview & CelebrationWeeks 35–36Day-by-day plans
A kindergarten day
Every day plan follows the same order, so children know what comes next. Short on time? Do the morning meeting, phonics, the read-aloud and math (about an hour), and save the rest for another day.
| Time block | How long | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Morning meeting | 10 min | Greeting, calendar, count the days of school, weather and the question of the day. |
| Phonics and letters | 15 min | The letter or sound of the week and a listening game. |
| Read-aloud | 15–20 min | One book, read with a few questions before, during and after. |
| Math | 20–30 min | A hands-on lesson, then a math center. |
| Science or social studies | 15–20 min | Explore, talk and draw. |
| Writing | 15 min | Drawing and writing. Pictures, scribbles and letters all count. |
| Centers and play | 30 min | Blocks, play dough, books, pretend play and a short game on the device. |
| Closing circle | 5 min | Share one thing you learned. |
Tips for grown-ups
- Follow your child. Repeat a day or a week any time. Going slower is fine; the plan is a guide, not a race.
- Books are suggestions. Any similar picture book from your library works just as well. Our free Wonderscape Library has picture books to read on screen, and its Listen button reads them aloud.
- Play is learning. Counting snacks, sorting laundry and reading signs all count.
- Praise effort. "You kept trying!" helps more than "You’re so smart."
- Holidays are for learning about each other. We share how different families celebrate and respect families who do not celebrate.
Next: 1st grade. Ready for what comes after kindergarten? See the 1st grade year plan.