Parenting

What You Can Expect Your Child to Learn in Grade School

From kindergarten to 5th grade, what your grade-school age child will learn

By Katherine Lee, About.com Guide

Grade school is an action-packed time, full of learning and development. In the elementary school years, your grade school age child will learn to read, and transition to reading to learn. He will mature emotionally and physically as he grows more independent and reaches toward adolescence. From kindergarten to 5th grade, here is a grade-by-grade overview of what you can expect your child to learn in grade school.

1. What You Can Expect in Kindergarten

Kindergarten curriculums today are less about play and more about academic achievement. Here's an overview of what you might expect from your child's kindergarten lesson plans this school year.

2. What You Can Expect in 1st Grade

Your first grader is becoming more sure of herself and her surroundings. Here's an overview of what you can expect as your child navigates her way through first grade.

3. What You Can Expect in 2nd Grade

Second graders are seasoned pros when it comes to knowing how school works. Here is some of what you can expect to see in your child in the second grade school year.

4. What You Can Expect in 3rd Grade

Having mastered reading, writing and math, third graders are on an adventure of discovery. Find out what you can expect from third grade reading, math, science and other third grade activities and subjects.

5. What You Can Expect in 4th Grade

Fourth graders use the skills they've learned in previous grades to find out more about their world. Fourth grade math, reading, and other subjects will be tackled with reference books and internet searches. Learn what else you can expect from fourth grade.

6. What You Can Expect in 5th Grade

Your 5th grader is about to make the big leap into middle school. As 5th grade science, math, and other subjects become more challenging -- and your increasingly social 5th grader has more demands on her time -- she will need to learn how to balance and organize her time and responsibilities.

More about Grade School Learning and Development

Signs of Trouble with Learning K-5

Katherine Lee
School-Age Children Guide

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