Preschool (Kindergarten)

Preschool and kindergarten are crucial for developing foundational skills that support a child’s growth across multiple domains. Here’s a comprehensive list of skills that should be taught in these early educational stages:

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1. Social-Emotional Skills

  • Sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others.  
  • Recognizing and managing emotions.  
  • Building self-esteem and confidence.  
  • Developing empathy and understanding others’ feelings.
  • Following rules and routines.  
  • Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully.  

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2. Language and Communication Skills

  • Speaking clearly and expressing ideas effectively in English and Japanese.  
  • Expanding vocabulary through stories, songs, and conversations to cover the most basic 5,000 English words.
  • Developing listening skills and following instructions.
  • Understanding basic concepts like time (yesterday, today, tomorrow).  
  • Early literacy:
  • Recognizing letters and sounds.  
  • Learning rhymes and phonics.  

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3. Cognitive and Academic Skills  

  • Pre-math concepts:
  1. Counting, recognizing numbers, and basic addition/subtraction.
  2. Identifying shapes, patterns, and sizes.  
  • Pre-literacy skills:
  1. Recognizing letters (uppercase and lowercase).  
  2. Identifying sounds and beginning to blend them.  
  • Problem-solving and logical thinking:  
  1. Completing puzzles and sorting activities.  
  2. Asking and answering questions to develop curiosity.  

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4. Motor Skills

  • Fine Motor Skills:  
  • Holding a pencil, crayon, or scissors properly.  
  • Drawing, coloring, and tracing shapes and letters.
  • Stringing beads, buttoning clothes, or using zippers. 
    • Gross Motor Skills: 
    • Running, jumping, hopping, and climbing. 
    • Throwing, catching, and kicking a ball.
    • Balancing and coordination activities.  

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    5. Self-Care and Life Skills

    • Dressing independently (zippers, buttons, and tying shoelaces).  Washing hands and brushing teeth.
    • Cleaning up after activities and organizing belongings.  
    • Basic table manners, like eating neatly and using utensils.  

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    6. Creative and Artistic Skills 

    • Drawing, painting, and crafting with various materials.  
    • Singing songs and exploring musical instruments.  
    • Dancing and expressing themselves through movement.  
    • Role-playing and imaginative play to boost creativity.  

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    7. Science and Nature Awareness 

    • Exploring basic concepts of the natural world (plants, animals, weather).  
    • Conducting simple experiments to observe cause and effect.  Learning about seasons and the environment.  

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    8. Cultural and Social Awareness 

    • Celebrating cultural festivals and traditions.  
    • Learning about diversity and respecting different backgrounds. Basic manners, like saying “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry.”  

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    9. Emotional Resilience and Independence 

    • Developing patience and persistence.  
    • Managing separation from parents.  
    • Building the confidence to try new activities.  
    • Coping with challenges or small setbacks.  

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    10. Technology Literacy 

    • Familiarizing children with age-appropriate technology.  
    • Using interactive educational tools or apps under guidance.  

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    These skills ensure a well-rounded development, preparing children for academic learning and social integration in higher grades.