Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- The Kindergarten focus is culture, tradition and community
- Places in communities: where people live, learn, work and play together
- Cultures, traditions and histories: the many ways families and communities celebrate, share stories and remember
- Needs and wants: what people must have to live well, and what they would like to have
- Leaders in communities: people who help others and guide a group
- Cooperation and collaboration: how people get along and do things together in groups
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
All About Me
Naming feelings, noticing how we are the same and different, and choosing kind actions so everyone feels respected.
Families
Seeing that families come in many shapes and sizes, growing up from baby to grandparent, family stories and traditions, and helping at home.
Traditions & Celebrations
Talk about your family's traditions and stories, and be curious about those of friends. Respect and kindness are the aims, not memorizing facts about any one culture.
Needs & Wants
Sorting needs (food, water, a home, warm clothes) from wants (toys and treats), and how families meet their needs.
Places Near Me
Naming places in the community (library, park, school, hospital), what they are used for, and whether they are natural or built.
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.
Leaders in Our Community
Talk about the people who lead and help in your school and neighbourhood, and how children can lead by being kind and fair.
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.
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 Alberta report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Kindergarten child with social studies?
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.
What does my child learn in Kindergarten social studies in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Kindergarten social studies units include all about me, families, traditions & celebrations, needs & wants, places near me, helpers & rules.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.