Preschool Group

In the final year of kindergarten, we work to ensure that the transition from kindergarten to school is as smooth as possible for our soon‑to‑be school starters. One day a week, we have a dedicated preschool group where we engage in a variety of playful learning activities to help prepare the children for school.

We primarily work in small groups with practical tasks that encourage curiosity, wonder, and a sense of community.
Most academic skills will be taught in school, but it is still important that the kindergarten provides opportunities for children to become curious, motivated, and gain some first‑hand experiences related to early learning.

If children show interest in letters, we naturally support this. When it comes to letters, our main focus is that children learn to recognize the written form of their own name and practice writing it. In this context, it is natural to talk about sounds as well, so the children gain first‑hand experience understanding that each letter has a corresponding letter sound.

We facilitate activities where the children can play and experiment with numbers, quantities, counting, and expressing these in different ways.
Children expand their mathematical understanding when they reflect on their experiences and connect them to what they already know.

Other skills that are helpful before starting school include proper pencil grip, using scissors, and knowing basic personal information (last name, birthday, where they live, a bit about their family, etc.).

Promoting independence before school start

Helping children become independent before starting school is important, and we focus on this throughout the year.

We practice:

• Opening and closing their backpack, both with clips and drawstrings. Packing their own things after use.
• Finding and opening their lunchbox, bottle, and thermos.
• Cleaning up after themselves after an activity.
• Keeping their cubby area tidy and knowing where to find their belongings. Practicing hanging wet clothes in the drying cabinet.
• Dressing and undressing themselves, and pulling shoes over their feet.
• Taking part in deciding what to wear based on the weather.
• Being independent in the bathroom. This means that during the final year, children practice wiping themselves.
• Washing hands.
• Applying cream independently.

Social skills to bring into school

The most important thing we can send children to school with is strong social skills.
Being a good friend — and having friends — is essential for feeling safe and happy. Other important social skills for school include:

• Waiting for their turn
• Being patient and sharing attention
• Not interrupting others
• Standing in line
• Keeping hands and feet to themselves
• Raising their hand
• Sharing equipment and materials
• Interacting with both boys and girls
• Cooperating in groups
• Learning problem‑solving
• Saying sorry and moving on
• Reflecting on choices and situations (good and less good choices)
• Taking part in games and activities, and being a “good” winner or loser
• Being aware of what is appropriate to say to others
• Speaking up and asserting themselves — practicing taking the floor, expressing their opinion, and taking their place in the group