Kindergarten Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten science in the Saskatchewan Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Life Science: Living Things in our Environment (LTK.1): Examine observable characteristics of plants, animals, and people in their local environment.
- Physical Science: Observing Forces and Energy (FEK.1): Examine the effects of physical forces, magnetic forces, light energy, sound energy, and heat energy, on objects…
- Physical Science: Materials and Objects (MOK.1): Investigate observable characteristics of familiar objects and materials in their environment.
- Earth and Space Science: Exploring Our Natural Surroundings (NSK.1): Explore features of their natural surroundings, including changes to those surroundings over time.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles.
- Plant a bean seed and check it together each day.
- Ask “What do you notice?” before you explain anything.
- Talk about the weather each morning and what to wear for it.
What each unit covers
Animal Features
Noticing body parts like fur, feathers, fins and shells, and how features help animals and plants live where they do.
What Living Things Need
Telling living from non-living things, and what plants and animals need to live: food, water, air, shelter and sunlight.
Push & Pull
Telling pushes from pulls, and seeing how a bigger push, an object's shape and its weight change how it moves.
Materials
Describing everyday materials (soft or hard, rough or smooth, bendy or stiff), what sinks or floats, and naming what things are made of, like wood, metal, glass and cloth.
Weather & Seasons
Dressing for the weather, the four seasons in order, day and night, and how plants and animals change with the seasons.
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! Meeting is the goal for every outcome. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exemplary
- 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 Saskatchewan report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Kindergarten child with science?
Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles. Plant a bean seed and check it together each day. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Kindergarten science in Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan Curriculum Kindergarten science units include animal features, what living things need, push & pull, materials, weather & seasons.
Free printable Kindergarten science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.