Comprehensive Preschool Learning Achievement Goals by Age 3, 4, and 5

Phase 1 (Age 3 Approx.)

Math

• Count to 10
• Count objects in groups up to 10
• Identify numbers 0-10
• Differentiate between letters and numbers
• Know basic shapes: square, circle, triangle, rectangle
• Sort objects by similarities (shapes & colors)
• Use and respond to spatial language (e.g., next to, in front of)
• Compare objects (heavier, lighter, taller, shorter)

Language Arts

• Recognize printed own name
• Identify letters in own name
• Recognize printed names of family and friends
• Hold a book correctly
• Understand basic book information (title, author, illustrator)
• Identify characters and major events in stories

Life Skills

• Faith Foundations:
  • Creator – God created everything
  • Character – God is good
  • Sovereign – God is in charge of everything
• Manners:
  • Love
  • Kindness
  • Sharing
  • Obedience

Social Studies

• Days of the week
• Months of the year
• Seasons

Science

• Sun, moon, stars, planets
• Five senses to identify things

Phase 2 (Age 4 Approx.)

Math

• Count to 20
• Count objects in groups up to 20
• Identify numbers 10-20
• Move objects as counting
• Match numbers to quantities using manipulatives
• Compare two sets of objects: greater than, less than, equal to
• Use non-standard units of measurement (e.g., using pencils to measure)

Language Arts

• Write letters in own name
• Continue letter sound recognition
• Identify and produce rhyming words

Fine Motor Skills

• Develop grip strength (use scissors and pencils)

Social Studies

• Understand family tree concepts
• Know facts such as own address, phone number, family names

Phase 3 (Age 5 Approx.)

Math

• Write numbers 0-20
• Understand subtraction (taking away decreases numbers)
• Understand addition (adding increases numbers)
• Recognize, duplicate, and fix patterns
• Extend and create own patterns
• Know and create 2D shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
• Know and create 3D shapes (cube, sphere, cone, cylinder)
• Use standard measurement units (inches with ruler or tape measure)

Language Arts

• Write own name correctly
• Recognize uppercase and lowercase letters
• Clap and count syllables in spoken words
• Recognize words with the same beginning sound (alliteration)
• Differentiate between same and different sounds
• Identify and put in order events to retell a story (sequencing)
• Identify story details and make predictions

Social Studies

• Basic geography concepts

This outline presents the essential learning subjects and skills that build progressively at each preschool phase to support Kindergarten readiness.