Preschool & Kindergarten Goals for Children

To Develop Emotionally
To assist young children in establishing separateness and individuality in a way which will contribute toward the development of self-reliance and positive self-image.

Specific goals:
- taking care of one's own personal needs insofar as the child is capable
- making progress toward making one's own choices and decisions
- beginning to recognize and solve one's own problems
- developing a sense that "what I think, say and do makes a difference"
- establishing a sense that "I am lovable"

To Develop Socially
To assist the child's attempts to coordinate their activities with the activities of other children and adults. Interpersonal skills are essential in learning to work and play successfully and joyfully with others.
Specific goals:
- developing communication skills and oral language
- learning to cooperate and share
- beginning to use peers as resources
- learning to plan and work as a group
- learning to listen to others
- acquiring an increasing ability to see another's viewpoint
- learning to distinguish between thoughts and actions
- having fun with others
- expressing feelings in appropriate ways
- developing an acceptance of other people, cultures, races, etc...

To Develop Intellectually
To help children achieve a sense of autonomy through an increasing ability to solve one's own problems. To help the child to make sense of the environment, providing an opportunity to make mistakes without losing face or status.
Specific goals:
- making progress toward learning how to learn
- helping the child recognize problems
- helping the child generate alternative solutions
- developing ability to recall and remember
- developing an ability to explore one's own interests
- promoting the natural curiosity and joy of learning
- encouraging a spirit of inquiry and openness to the world
- increasing sensory and perceptual activity
- beginning to get acquainted with the symbols and concepts of reading and writing
- developing foundational concepts and beginning symbols of math

To Develop Physically
To help children begin to care for their own physical being by beginning to learn what the body needs to develop and grow. To help children develop their physical potential.
Specific goals:
- developing the large muscles through movement, rhythms, games
- developing the fine muscles through manipulative materials
- to be able to enjoy and handle one's own body
- becoming increasingly aware of the importance of personal and dental hygiene
- acquiring skills with tools and materials: exploring a wide variety of materials in building, constructing, dramatic play, music, art, sciencing, cooking, manipulative, exploring the function of realtools and equipment and learning to use them properly in construction, building, sewing, cooking, art projects, sciencing.

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