Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Our rights, roles, and responsibilities are important for building strong communities.
- Stories and traditions about ourselves and our families reflect who we are and where we are from.
- We are all unique and have the right to be respected.
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.
Needs & Wants
Sorting needs (food, water, a home, warm clothes) from wants (toys and treats), and how families meet their needs.
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.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- 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.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- 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 BC 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 BC?
The BC Curriculum Kindergarten social studies units include all about me, families, needs & wants, helpers & rules.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.