Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Investigate groups to which they belong. Learners will investigate groups to which they belong.
- Investigate how cooperation is an important part of being a group member. Learners will investigate how cooperation is an important part of being a group member.
- Investigate how local people have varied traditions, rituals, and celebrations. Learners will investigate how local people, including Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, Mi’kmaq, and various cultural groups, have varied traditions, rituals, and celebrations.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Talk about your family, your neighbourhood 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.
- Practise taking turns and sharing, and talk about why fairness matters.
What each unit covers
Families
Seeing that families come in many shapes and sizes, growing up from baby to grandparent, family stories and traditions, and helping at home.
We Belong
Seeing that everyone belongs to several groups (family, class, team, community), how each person helps, and respecting ideas that differ from our own.
Fair & Kind
Noticing fair and unfair choices, using kind words, standing up for ourselves and others, and getting a grown-up to help.
Helpers & Rules
Community helpers and places, classroom rules like taking turns, being responsible, and learning that Indigenous peoples were the first people of this land.
Celebrations in Nova Scotia
Practises noticing that people in Nova Scotia celebrate in different ways, from birthdays and Canada Day to the Acadian Tintamarre, Gaelic ceilidhs, Mi’kmaw gatherings, Treaty Day and African Heritage Month. It follows the Primary social studies outcome on traditions, rituals and celebrations.
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.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising 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 Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
Talk about your family, your neighbourhood 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 Nova Scotia Curriculum Kindergarten social studies units include families, we belong, fair & kind, helpers & rules, celebrations in nova scotia.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.