Nursery School Essentials: What Your Child Will Learn in the First Year

When a child starts going to school, many questions arise in the minds of the child as well as his parents. On one hand, there is excitement in the minds, and on the other hand, there is also a little nervousness. However, this is absolutely normal. Obviously, this is the first big step in their child’s educational journey, and it is natural to wonder what exactly is going on behind those brightly coloured classroom doors.

So, keeping this problem of yours in mind, we have come up with this special blog. Here we will discuss the nursery school curriculum, which includes the early learning milestones that most children achieve in their first year and the important life skills that they acquire during this time. Which includes finger paints, circle time, and a glimpse of minor but important achievements. Let’s first understand the purpose of nursery school:

Purpose of Nursery School

Nursery school is where children take their first step towards their formal education. Here, they are not only given bookish knowledge, but also the foundation of lifelong learning is laid through play. In this stage, the focus is less on formal education and more on developing skills necessary for social, emotional, and cognitive development. The first year of nursery aims to introduce the child to a well-organised environment in a comfortable and age-appropriate manner. In this class, they will get acquainted with the routine, learn to follow instructions, and also understand the process of learning through play. Let’s move ahead and learn about the structure and curriculum of nursery school:

The Nursery School Curriculum: What’s Inside

Every nursery class has a slightly different curriculum, but most places follow the same basic pattern. Obviously, at this stage, the main goal is to help children develop in every way – physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally – without putting too much pressure on them. For this, many such methods are adopted in which important lessons are taught to children in a playful way.

Here’s what’s usually included in a nursery school curriculum:

The Nursery School Curriculum: What’s Inside

• Language and Communication Skills
• Early Number Skills
• Creativity and Art
• Social Skills and Teamwork
• Gaming Zones
• Exploring and Discovering

Language and Communication Skills

Children learn their formal sense of language at school, where they explore the ways of how to talk and listen better. They grasp new words, tell simple stories, and enjoy activities like story time, singing, and “show and tell”. These small activities help them to become more confident speakers and attentive listeners.

Basic Numeracy

When a child starts learning to count, it’s not just about memorising 1, 2, 3. They gradually begin to understand what numbers mean, such as putting 3 apples in one basket and 5 in another, and then seeing which one has more. Teachers use a variety of fun games to help them understand this, counting with colourful beads, arranging blocks in rows, solving puzzles, and even exploiting food items (“Come on, put 4 biscuits on the plate”). These games help children not only recognise numbers but also understand maths easily without being afraid of it.

Creativity and Art

Most of the kids love art and craft; whether it’s painting, drawing, building with blocks, or acting in little plays, they love doing so. As per the experts, creative activities let children use their imagination. They also help with hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Social Skills

When kids start their school journey, they learn to move out of the house. They now make their own people or friends, apart from their family. In that process, kids start learning how to share, take turns, and work with others. Group games and projects help them to understand the practical meaning of cooperation, patience, and kindness in life.

Gaming Zones

From the time your child takes his first steps, kids love to play, jump, and run. So when it comes to playing, they are always ready for it. Running, jumping, skipping, sliding on the slide, or playing on the seesaw, all these are an important part of learning in the world of children.

Exploring and Discovering

Kids are best known for their curiosity. They love to ask questions, or we can say that their favourite words are ‘why’, ‘when’, ‘how’, and ‘what’, because with these words they explore new dimensions. Simple activities in school, like planting seeds, watching bugs, or mixing paint colours, spark curiosity and encourage problem-solving traits in children.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Nursery Experience

Parents are key partners in making the first year of nursery a happy and productive one. You can support your child’s journey in simple ways:

Talk About Their Day

Try to be involved with your children, so that they can share everything with you. Ask open-ended questions like, How’s your day today? “What was your favourite game today?” or “Who did you play with?” This keeps communication open and shows your interest in their kids’ learning journey.

Practice Skills at Home

Play counting games, read picture books, or involve them in small chores. These reinforce the nursery school curriculum at home in a fun way.

Stay in Touch with Teachers

Regular updates from teachers help you track your child’s development in nursery and address any concerns early.

Common Myths About Nursery School

Sometimes, even after everything is out in the open, myths are created, and this is normal. There are many such myths about nursery classes as well. Let us know what these myths are:

Children only play in the nursery: Play is actually the center of the basics of nursery education. Every activity, whether it is pretend play in the kitchen or pretend play outside, has a learning goal. In other words, many important things are taught in this class through play.

It’s too early for structured learning: In nursery school, structured learning is spontaneous and play-based, helping children feel comfortable while introducing patterns and routines, and this prepares children for further learning.

At last, we can say that the first year of nursery is an amazing time, from achieving the key early education milestones to mastering parts of the nursery class curriculum. By the end of this class, your child will be more confident, independent, and excited to learn.

FAQs

What do children learn in their first year?

As per the basic nursery school curriculum, in the first year of nursery, children learn to talk better, count simple numbers, share with friends, explore the idea of routines, and do small tasks on their own. They also explore art, music, and outdoor play.

What does my 1-year-old need for nursery?

Your 1-year-old will need comfortable clothes, extra diapers (if still using), a water bottle, a snack or lunch (if the school asks), and any comfort item like a small blanket or toys.

How does nursery school support social development?

Nursery school teaches kids to play together, share, listen to others, and make friends. They learn how to be kind and work in a group.

Will my child learn to write in nursery?

Children in nursery don’t usually write full words rather then they learn basic writing practices such as holding crayons or pencils, making shapes and lines, as these little steps help them get ready to write later.