Kindergarten

Kindergarten {{Audio|De-kindergarten.ogg|listen}} (German for garden for children) is a name used in many parts of the world for the first stages of a child's classroom education. In some parts kindergarten is part of the formal school system; in others it may refer to pre-school or daycare.

Function of kindergarten

Children usually aged 4-6 years old, attend kindergarten to learn "how to learn" to communicate, play, and interact with others appropriately. A teacher provides various manipulative materials and activities to motivate these children to learn the language and vocabulary of reading, math, science, and computers, as well as that of music, art, and social behaviors. For children who previously have spent most of their time at home, kindergarten may serve the purpose of training them to be apart from their parents without anxiety. Kindergarten also allows parents (especially mothers) to go back to part-time or full-time employment.

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After kindergarten, depending on the school, the children would advance to the next level which is usually referred to as first grade.

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Many private businesses in the USA name their day-care businesses 'Kindergarten' or 'Kindergarden'.

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Kindergarten may be half a day in length, (either morning or afternoon), or may be a full-day kindergarten.

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