What should your preschooler actually be learning this year? This free, month-by-month plan gives you a clear answer. It follows the learning areas used by U.S. Head Start and state early learning standards, and turns them into simple, play-based activities you can do at home.
- Ages 3–5 (best fit: 4–5)
- 12 months, 4 weeks each
- About 20–30 minutes of guided activity a day
- Everyday supplies only
Short answer: there is no single required preschool curriculum in the United States. Each state sets its own early learning standards, and Head Start uses a national framework with five learning domains. This plan follows those five domains so it fits with what most preschools and kindergartens expect.
How to Use This Plan
1. Check the milestones
Read the “Where Should My Child Be?” section so you know what is typical at ages 4 and 5.
2. Set a gentle routine
Pick a daily rhythm from the sample day. Short and consistent beats long and stressful.
3. Follow one month at a time
Each month has its own page with a theme, a weekly lesson plan, goals in every learning area, and easy activities.
4. Celebrate progress
Use the month check-ins and the end-of-year checklist. Every child moves at their own pace.
Core goals vs. stretch goals. Core goals match what most children can do by the end of the year. Stretch goals (marked “stretch”) are for children who are ready for more. It is perfectly fine to skip them.
What Preschoolers Learn: The 5 Learning Areas
Head Start’s Early Learning Outcomes Framework, the national reference for early learning from birth to age 5, groups it into five areas. In preschool, the language area is split into two parts (language and communication, and literacy), and the thinking area covers both math and science. Every month of this plan touches all five.
| Learning area | In plain English | What it looks like at home |
|---|---|---|
| Approaches to Learning | Curiosity, creativity, attention, and not giving up | Asks “why?”, keeps trying a puzzle, finishes a short activity |
| Social & Emotional Development | Understanding feelings, getting along with others, and a sense of self | Takes turns, names feelings, comforts a friend |
| Language & Literacy | Listening, talking, new words, rhymes, letters, and early writing | Tells a story, finds their name, enjoys rhymes, scribbles with purpose |
| Cognition (math & science thinking) | Counting, shapes, patterns, sorting, and asking and testing ideas | Counts snacks, makes patterns, guesses if something will sink or float |
| Perceptual, Motor & Physical Development | Big movements, small hand skills, health, and safety | Hops, catches, uses scissors, buttons a shirt, washes hands |
States add their own details. For example, California’s Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations also list English-language development, science, health, history-social science, and visual and performing arts. Texas’ Pre-K Guidelines list ten domains, including social studies, fine arts, and technology. This plan covers those topics through its monthly themes, art, and music activities.
Where Should My Child Be? Typical Milestones
The CDC lists milestones as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Use them as a guide, not a test. Tick the boxes you see on screen, or print this page.
By the end of age 4
By the end of age 5
When to talk to a doctor: if your child is missing one or more milestones, has lost a skill they once had, or you are worried, talk with your child’s doctor and ask about developmental screening. Don’t wait. These checklists are not a replacement for a professional screening.
6 Ground Rules for Teaching at Home
1. Play is how preschoolers learn
NAEYC, the main U.S. professional organization for early childhood educators, calls play the central teaching practice for young children. Plan a few things, then let your child explore.
2. Keep lessons short
By age 5, most children can pay attention for about 5 to 10 minutes during an activity. Plan 10 to 15 minute activity blocks and switch when interest fades.
3. Use real objects
Count real snacks, sort real socks, and measure real blocks. Worksheets are great for practice, but hands-on comes first.
4. Repeat favorites
Children master skills through repeated practice. Reading the same book ten times is not wasted time.
5. Follow their interests
If your child loves trucks, read truck books and count wheels. Interest makes learning stick.
6. Move a lot
U.S. guidelines suggest active play throughout the day for ages 3 to 5, with a target of about 3 hours of light to vigorous movement.
A Simple Daily Rhythm
This sample day takes about 2½ hours. It is a suggestion, not a rule. Move things around so they fit your family.
- Welcome circle (10 min)
- Story time (15 min)
- Learning table (20 min)
- Active play (40 min)
- Snack & helping (15 min)
- Creative time (20 min)
- Quiet time (25 min)
| Block | Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome circle | 10 | Say the date, check the weather, ask “How are you feeling?”, and sing a song. |
| Story time | 15 | Read aloud. Ask “What do you think happens next?” |
| Learning table | 20 | One short hands-on letter, number, or science activity from the month. |
| Active play | 40 | Playground, walk, dance, or obstacle course. Outside when you can. |
| Snack & helping | 15 | Wash hands, pour water, set the table, and talk about the food. |
| Creative time | 20 | Art, building, music, or pretend play. |
| Quiet time | 25 | Books, puzzles, or free play on their own. |
Your Weekly Rhythm
Giving each day a simple focus helps you plan without feeling overwhelmed.
| Day | Focus | Easy idea (10–15 minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Letters & sounds | Hunt for the month’s letters on cereal boxes, signs, and books. |
| Tuesday | Math | Count, sort, make a pattern, or measure with everyday objects. |
| Wednesday | Science & nature | Run the month’s experiment or take a nature walk with a magnifying glass. |
| Thursday | Art, music & stories | Do the month’s art project, then sing or read a related book. |
| Friday | Play, review & library | Replay a favorite game, visit the library, or have a family “show and tell.” |
Preschool Approaches Compared (and What to Borrow)
U.S. preschools use several well-known approaches. None is the single best one. The right fit depends on your child’s personality and your family. Here is a quick side-by-side, plus one idea from each that you can use at home.
| Approach | Core idea | Great for | Borrow this at home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-based (NAEYC guidance) | Learning through guided play, with a planned environment and themes | Most children | Offer themed activities, then let your child lead the play. |
| HighScope | Active learning with a Plan-Do-Review routine | Children who like choices and routines | Ask “What’s your plan?” before play and “Tell me what you did” after. |
| Montessori | A prepared space, hands-on materials, and independent “work” | Independent, focused children | Keep a low shelf of activities and give child-size tools for pouring and sweeping. |
| Reggio Emilia | Long projects that grow from children’s interests, with art as a way of thinking | Creative, collaborative children | Follow one “wonder question” for a week and take photos of the process. |
| Waldorf | Rhythm, imagination, and natural materials, with no early academics | Imaginative, sensitive children | Keep a predictable daily rhythm and make time for pretend play and storytelling. |
| Bank Street | Whole-child learning through real-world experiences | Children who learn by exploring | Take neighborhood walks and visit the fire station, library, or market. |
How this plan blends them: it is play-based at the core, with HighScope-style planning, Montessori-style independence tasks, Reggio-style projects, Waldorf-style daily rhythm, and Bank Street-style community learning.
The 12-Month Plan at a Glance
You can start any time of year. Begin with Month 1 and move through the months in order. If an activity does not fit the weather or season where you live, swap in something similar that does.
| Month | Theme | New letters | Math | Science | Heart skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | All About Me & My Family | Name letters + A M S | Count to 5, sort by color | Five senses | Naming feelings, routines |
| Month 2 | Harvest, Farm & Nature | T P N C | Numerals 1–5, AB patterns, shapes | Apple & pumpkin life cycles | Taking turns |
| Month 3 | Community Helpers & Gratitude | B D G H | Count to 10, compare sizes | Healthy body, handwashing | Helping & gratitude |
| Month 4 | Light, Traditions & Kindness | I O L R | Numerals 1–10, first/next/last | Light & shadows | Empathy & kindness |
| Month 5 | Weather & Arctic Animals | F K E U | Count to 10, measure, ABB patterns | Weather, ice & melting | Patience & calming down |
| Month 6 | Friendship, Feelings & Healthy Hearts | J W V Y | One more/one less, picture graphs | Heartbeat & healthy foods | Friendship & using words |
| Month 7 | Plants, Gardens & Weather | Q X Z + review | Numbers 11–20, 1st/2nd/3rd, measuring | Seeds & plant parts | Problem solving, responsibility |
| Month 8 | Animals, Bugs & Our Earth | Review all (bingo) | Sorting, ten frames, add one | Bugs, life cycles, recycling | Caring for living things |
| Month 9 | Things That Go: Build It! | Uppercase ↔ lowercase | Position words, longer patterns | Push, pull & ramps | Teamwork |
| Month 10 | Ocean & Water | Sound blending (stretch) | Full/empty, graphing | Sink or float, ocean layers | Persistence |
| Month 11 | My Town, My Country, My World | Write full first name | Calendar, coins, yesterday/tomorrow | Maps, land & water, shadows | Respecting differences |
| Month 12 | I’m Ready for Kindergarten! | Review & write name | Count to 10–20, add within 5 | Favorite experiments | Confidence & goodbyes |
Alphabet Progress Across the Year
Letters are introduced gradually, with games and hands-on play. The goal is exposure and fun. Naming some letters is a typical milestone at age 5, and kindergarten builds from there.
Months 8 to 12 are for review, rhyming, sound games, and writing. They are not for new letters.
Month-by-Month Curriculum
Open any month for its full weekly lesson plan, letters, math and science goals, supplies list, vocabulary, and FAQs.
All About Me & My Family
Build routines, learn names and feelings, and make learning feel safe and fun.
See the Month 1 plan → 2Month 2Harvest, Farm & Nature
Explore nature and learn where food comes from.
See the Month 2 plan → 3Month 3Community Helpers & Gratitude
Meet the people who help us and practice saying thank you.
See the Month 3 plan → 4Month 4Light, Traditions & Kindness
Learn about light, family traditions, and kind acts. Families celebrate in many different ways, so follow your own.
See the Month 4 plan → 5Month 5Weather & Arctic Animals
Become a weather watcher and discover how animals live in the cold.
See the Month 5 plan → 6Month 6Friendship, Feelings & Healthy Hearts
Practice being a good friend and learn how our bodies stay healthy.
See the Month 6 plan → 7Month 7Plants, Gardens & Weather
Watch things grow and learn what plants need to live.
See the Month 7 plan → 8Month 8Animals, Bugs & Our Earth
Study insects and animal homes, and learn simple ways to care for the Earth.
See the Month 8 plan → 9Month 9Things That Go: Build It!
Explore how things move and build with blocks, boxes, and bricks.
See the Month 9 plan → 10Month 10Ocean & Water
Dive into ocean animals and water science. Always keep an adult close during any water play.
See the Month 10 plan → 11Month 11My Town, My Country, My World
Learn about maps, calendars, and people around the world.
See the Month 11 plan → 12Month 12I’m Ready for Kindergarten!
Review favorites, practice school routines, and celebrate how much they’ve grown.
See the Month 12 plan →End-of-Year “Kindergarten Ready” Checklist
Kindergarten readiness covers the whole child: language, thinking skills, movement, independence, and getting along with others. There is no single official definition, and teachers often say social skills matter as much as, or more than, academics. Use this list to see how far your child has come.
Language & literacy
Math & thinking
Social & emotional
Self-care & motor skills
Remember: a checklist is a snapshot, not a grade. If your child is still working on a few items, that is normal. Keep practicing and share any concerns with your child’s doctor or kindergarten teacher.
Adjusting the Plan for Your Child
For a 3-year-old
Pick one or two goals per area each month, skip the stretch goals, and spend more time on songs, stories, sensory play, and movement. Repeat favorite activities often.
For a 5-year-old who is ready for more
Add the stretch goals, let them dictate longer stories, practice writing their name, and try simple add-one and take-away stories with objects.
If your child needs more time
Stay on a month for a few extra weeks, shorten the activities, and celebrate small wins. Ask your pediatrician about screening if you are concerned.
Healthy habits to keep all year: the CDC suggests no more than 1 hour of screen time a day for ages 4 and 5 (a children’s program, with an adult present), no screens for 1 to 2 hours before bed, and 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day including naps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a required preschool curriculum in the United States?
No. There is no single national preschool curriculum. Each state publishes its own early learning standards, and Head Start programs use a national framework with five learning domains. Private and child care programs choose their own curriculum. This plan follows the five Head Start domains so it fits most programs.
How much time should I spend teaching each day?
Keep it short and playful. The CDC lists paying attention for 5 to 10 minutes as a typical milestone at age 5, so plan guided activities in blocks of about 10 to 15 minutes. A good starting point is 20 to 30 minutes in total, with the rest of the day for play, movement, and stories.
Should my child be reading before kindergarten?
Not necessarily. Preschool builds the foundations: listening, talking, rhyming, recognizing letters, and holding a pencil. Interest in books and letters matters more than reading independently.
What if my child has not reached a milestone yet?
CDC milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age, so some children need more time. If your child is missing one or more milestones, has lost a skill, or you are worried, talk with your child’s doctor and ask about developmental screening. Don’t wait.
How much screen time is okay for a preschooler?
The CDC suggests no more than 1 hour a day for ages 4 and 5, of a children’s program with an adult present, and no screens for 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Aim for 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day, including naps.
How much exercise do preschoolers need?
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advise active play throughout the day for ages 3 to 5, with a target of about 3 hours a day of light, moderate, or vigorous activity. Short bursts add up.
Can I use this plan for a 3-year-old?
Yes. Choose one or two goals per learning area each month, skip the stretch goals, and spend more time on play, songs, and stories. Repeat favorite activities as often as your child likes.
Do I have to start at a certain time of year?
No. Start with Month 1 any time of year and move through the months in order. If an activity does not fit your weather or season, swap in something similar that does, such as nature items you can find nearby.
Ready to Start?
Grab free printables, coloring pages, and activities to go with each month of the plan.
Sources & Further Reading
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice position statement
- NAEYC: Principles of Child Development and Learning
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
- California Preschool Learning Foundations (California Department of Education)
- Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines training (Children’s Learning Institute)
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Top 10 things to know (ODPHP)
- Types of U.S. early childhood programs compared (Famly)
- Types of preschool programs explained (Brightwheel)
- Kindergarten readiness overview (Norton Children’s)
- Preschool theme ideas by month (Brightwheel)
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice and does not replace a developmental screening or guidance from your child’s doctor or teacher.