Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the New York State Learning Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Self and others: what makes each of us unique
- Families, traditions, and American symbols and holidays
- Rights, rules and responsibilities at home and school
- Maps, weather, needs and wants
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Talk about your family, your neighborhood and the people who help in it.
- Make a simple map of your home or street together.
- Share a family tradition or story and ask your child to share one back.
- Practice taking turns and sharing, and talk about why fairness matters.
What each unit covers
All About Me
Naming feelings, noticing how we are the same and different, and choosing kind actions so everyone feels respected.
I Am Me
Noticing what we like and are good at, feeling proud of things we have done, and finding words to share our thoughts and experiences.
Families
Seeing that families come in many shapes and sizes, growing up from baby to grandparent, family stories and traditions, and helping at home.
Fair & Kind
Noticing fair and unfair choices, using kind words, standing up for ourselves and others, and getting a grown-up to help.
My Jobs, Rules & Leaders
Practices responsibilities at home and in school, respecting the rules of the classroom and playground, respecting property, sharing, helping, and who makes decisions that affect our lives.
My First Maps
Introduces maps as pictures that show where places are. Your child finds familiar places on a simple map of a classroom or neighborhood.
Places Near Me
Naming places in the community (library, park, school, hospital), what they are used for, and whether they are natural or built.
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Practices yesterday, today and tomorrow, words that describe parts of a day or order of events (first, then, last), telling events in order, and learning from stories of the past told by family and Elders.
Needs & Wants
Sorting needs (food, water, a home, warm clothes) from wants (toys and treats), and how families meet their needs.
Money & Work
US coins and what they are worth, why people use money, jobs and volunteers in the community, and the difference between goods and services.
Symbols & Holidays
American symbols such as the flag, the bald eagle and the Statue of Liberty, the Pledge of Allegiance, national holidays, and the different holidays families celebrate.
Weather, Land & Me
How the seasons and weather change what people wear and do, land and water features, and places near and far.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the New York report card guide.
Common questions
Talk about your family, your neighborhood and the people who help in it. Make a simple map of your home or street together. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The New York State Learning Standards Kindergarten social studies units include All About Me, I Am Me, Families, Fair & Kind, My Jobs, Rules & Leaders, My First Maps.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.