kindergarten

Kindergarten is a form of early childhood education designed to prepare young children for primary school. It typically serves children in the 4–6 age range and combines socialization, play, and structured learning to support language development, basic numeracy, motor skills, and emotional readiness for schooling. Instruction emphasizes inquiry, exploration, and collaborative activities rather than formal academic instruction alone.

The modern concept originated in 19th-century Germany with educator Friedrich Fröbel, who coined the term kindergarten, meaning 'garden for children.' Fröbel’s method used structured play and activity-based materials to foster self-directed learning. The idea spread worldwide in the late 19th and 20th centuries and became common as the first year of formal schooling in many countries.

Age ranges and organizational structures vary. In many places kindergarten is the first year of primary education and children attend at about age 5; in others it is a separate pre-primary program for ages 3–5 or 4–6. Settings include public, private, and nonprofit programs, sometimes located within primary schools or as stand-alone centers.

Curricula are often play-based and developmentally appropriate, focusing on language and literacy, numeracy, science and nature, arts, physical development, and social-emotional skills. Teaching emphasizes observation and assessment of progress, typically through formative methods such as portfolios and teacher reports rather than standardized testing of young children. Class sizes and teacher qualifications vary by country and program.