Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the Prince Edward Island Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Culture and Diversity. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of culture, diversity, and world view, recognizing the similarities and differences reflected in various personal, cultural, racial, and ethnic perpectives.
- People, Place, and Environment. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places, and the environment.
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
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.
All About Me
Naming feelings, noticing how we are the same and different, and choosing kind actions so everyone feels respected.
Needs & Wants
Sorting needs (food, water, a home, warm clothes) from wants (toys and treats), and how families meet their needs.
Working & Playing Together
Practises cooperating, taking turns, including others, considering others' needs, valuing each person's talents and interests, and noticing the results of our choices.
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.
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.
Families
Seeing that families come in many shapes and sizes, growing up from baby to grandparent, family stories and traditions, and helping at home.
Canada & Celebrations
Practises that we live in Canada, Remembrance Day as a time to think about peace and war, repeating events such as Canada Day and Earth Day, and the many different ways families celebrate. Encourage curiosity and respect about other families' celebrations.
Places Near Me
Naming places in the community (library, park, school, hospital), what they are used for, and whether they are natural or built.
Communities Connect
Introduces the idea that our community is connected to other communities, for example by roads, mail, food and visits. Your child begins to see that people depend on places beyond their own.
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 neighbourhood.
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 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 PEI 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 Prince Edward Island Curriculum Kindergarten social studies units include i am me, all about me, needs & wants, working & playing together, we belong, helpers & rules.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.