New Kindergarten Curriculum
New Kindergarten Curriculum
Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time filled with many firsts. At the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), we recognize each child as a unique gift from God and work in partnership with families to support a joyful beginning to school.
Learning and Growing Together
The New Kindergarten Curriculum builds on the learning children bring from home and their community. Through play-based and inquiry-driven learning, educators support early literacy and numeracy in meaningful and engaging ways, while caring for the whole child in a nurturing Catholic environment. This includes supporting children’s spiritual, social, emotional, and physical growth. Children also explore Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem solving.
Learning Together: School and Home
At School, Children Will: | At Home, You Can: |
|---|---|
Meet new people | Visit parks, libraries, TCDSB EarlyON Child and Family Centres |
Communicate ideas and feelings | Encourage speaking up for needs and supporting others |
Learn routines | Practise simple routines at home; build confidence |
Build independence | Encourage dressing, tidying, making choices |
Listen, read, and write | Read daily, draw, write names and lists |
Explore math | Count, sort, compare in daily routines |
Discover the world | Explore the gift of God’s creation, spend time outdoors; explore Mother Earth, wonder together |
Create and problem-solve | Build, play, imagine, ask questions, explore curiosities, learn from mistakes |
Summer Learning Ideas
Here are some suggestions for summer learning:
Read and talk together every day (in any language)
Visit the Toronto Public Library
Play outside and explore nature and God’s creation
Ask questions and wonder together
Practice counting, sorting, and measuring at home
Draw, build, and engage in pretend play
Build independence (dressing, tidying, routines)
Trusted Family Resources
Some of the trusted family resources include:
TVO Learn (Focus On Kindergarten): Engaging videos, games, and activities aligned with the New Kindergarten curriculum
Ontario Ministry of Education: Kindergarten information for families
Ontario Science Centre: Foundational skills and concepts in Science, Technology Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)
Science North: Supports STEAM learning
School Mental Health Ontario: By Your Side Resource Hub for families
Growing Together in Faith
Children learn best through loving relationships, routines, and play. Families are a child’s first teachers. Talking, reading, asking questions, exploring, and praying together builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
When families and educators approach learning as a reciprocal relationship, they contribute to and influence the learning of children while being open to what children also have to teach. - Ontario Catholic School Kindergarten Program (2019), Page 7
We look forward to welcoming your child in September!