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This is what your child learns in the kindergarten class.
Going to group 1 and kindergarten is exciting. Your child needs to get used to the new environment, the teacher, classmates, rules, and the school building and takes big steps in social-emotional development. What does your child actually learn in kindergarten (group 1 and 2)?
Dutch language: learning letters and writing
In group 1 your child works on expanding vocabulary by learning to read and sing. Conversation skills are also practiced, such as waiting your turn, listening to others, and telling what you think. Recognizing sounds in words, for example through rhyme games, also plays an important role.
In group 2 your child learns to recognize letters and sometimes writes some letters or words. They also learn words such as ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘under’, and ‘above’. Attention is given to exchanging information and how to talk together.
Math: learning numbers and number sense
Although your child does not really learn arithmetic yet, they start counting up to 20 and recognizing quantities. They learn to recognize whole, half, and quarter objects and to order and sort items by size and color. They also learn about direction and routes, for example by drawing the way from home to school. In group 2 your child learns to understand numbers.
Gym and artistic education
Besides language and math, there is also attention for gym and artistic education. During gym, children learn to balance, climb, swing, jump, and aim. They move to music and play games such as tag and hide and seek. In artistic education, they make music, paint, or do crafts with different materials.
Structure and social-emotional development
Your child may still need time to get used to the school rhythm. That is why structure is very important in kindergarten. Your child’s social-emotional development makes big jumps in primary school kindergarten. They learn how to deal with their surroundings and themselves. Your child learns to cooperate, tidy up, and express themselves verbally.
Topics like friendship and family come up. There is also attention for the seasons, the weather, and nature.
Tests with kindergarten children
Testing kindergarten children is usually hard because development often happens in jumps. What your child can’t do one week, they might do the next week. Age also plays a big role. Tests in kindergarten are therefore not mandatory, but the school must follow and record your child’s development in the student monitoring system.
To group 3
In group 3 your child works more intensively on maths and language. It is therefore important that the school prepares your child well for the transition from group 2 to group 3.
Questions or personal advice?
Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.
Preschool Phase.
The age of a child in groups 1 and 2 depends on when they were born. This determines whether your child is considered an early or late learner.
- Group 1: Children usually start when they are 4 years old. Depending on the birthday, your child can be 4 or 5 years old during group 1.
- Group 2: Children in group 2 are usually 5 years old, but can also be 6 years old, depending on their birthday and whether they may have started later.
Is your child’s birthday in the middle of the year? Then your child is often a late learner. Is your child’s birthday at the beginning of the year? Then your child is often an early learner.
In the Netherlands, compulsory education starts at the age of 5. This means that from the age of 5, your child is obliged to go to school. There are exceptions to compulsory education for five-year-olds.
There are strict rules about school absenteeism. A child may only be absent with a valid reason. If your child is 4 years old, compulsory education does not apply yet.
In group 3, your child is usually 6 years old. The age with classmates in group 3 may vary, depending on how long they attended kindergarten.
The transition from group 2 to group 3 is an important step, as your child will start learning to read, write, and do math. There are no hard, legal requirements that a child must meet to move to group 3. The school decides if your child is ready for the transition to group 3. The school considers the overall development of your child.
Preschool phase.
The age of a child in group 1 and 2 depends on when their birthday is. This determines whether your child is considered an early or late learner.
- Group 1: Children usually start when they are 4 years old. Depending on their birthday, your child can be 4 or 5 years old during group 1.
- Group 2: Children in group 2 are usually 5 years old, but they can also be 6 years old, depending on their birthday and whether they may have started later.
Is your child’s birthday in the middle of the year? Then your child is often a late learner. Is your child’s birthday at the beginning of the year? Then your child is often an early learner.
In the Netherlands, compulsory education starts at age 5. This means that from the age of 5, your child is required to attend school. There are exceptions to compulsory education for five-year-olds.
There are strict rules regarding school absence. A child can only be absent with a valid reason. If your child is 4 years old, compulsory education does not apply yet.
In group 3, your child is often 6 years old. The age with classmates in group 3 may vary, depending on how long they have been in kindergarten.
The transition from group 2 to group 3 is an important step, as your child will begin learning to read, write, and do math. There are no strict legal requirements that a child must meet to enter group 3. The school decides if your child is ready to move to group 3. The school looks at the overall development of your child.
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