Profile of a Kindergarten Child 
Characteristics
Three and four year olds focus on what they experience through the senses, especially what they can feel and move with their hands. “Hands on” work, with concrete objects, is very important.
Order is essential for these young children. A certain routine of daily prayer in the morning, at bedtime, and at meal times leads to a consistent growth in faith.
Children learn language very easily at this time in their lives. They love beautiful words, so this is a good opportunity to introduce
vocabulary (such as “holy water font,” “crucifix,” “chalice,” “tabernacle,” “Stations of the Cross
prayer words and phrases, which they can use to create their own prayers of praise and thanks (such as Jesus, will you help me with this? and Jesus, thank you for your love.)
songs of worship related to the themes of catechesis.Young children have a deep sense of wonder and awe. They are naturally curious and seek to “know” things with all their senses. They are open to and drawn by both “physical” and “spiritual” wonders, the natural and supernatural.
T
he self-image of a child at this age is delicate, easily altered by people and situations near to him/her. A healthy self-concept is encouraged by positive reinforcement including the fact that God made him/her/everyone and loves him/her/everyone.
The kindergartner is egocentric, absorbed in his/her impressions and sometimes fails to realize that others may not share the same perceptions.
A four-year old needs a strong sense of security and a feeling that he/she is loved and belongs. Improved socialization skills are a goal for the kindergarten year.
The kindergarten child involves his/her body and spirit as well as his/her mind in learning. This child relates to the concrete, to experiences of his/her everyday life.
This child has a short attention span and needs a variety of activities and approaches to learning.
The kindergarten year provides a time for the child to acquire a sense of initiative, to experience opportunities to affect the world in which he/she lives.
Three- and four-year-olds focus on what they experience through the senses, especially what they can feel and move with their hands. “Hands on” work, with concrete objects, is very important.
If order and concrete materials, which meet their developmental needs, are provided, kindergarten students are able to work with concentration.
These children are learning language very easily at this time in their lives. They love beautiful words so this is a good opportunity to introduce
• vocabulary (such as “paten,” “chalice,” “Jerusalem” and Galilee”)
• prayer words and phrases, which they can use to create their own prayers of praise and thanks
• songs of worship related to the themes of catechesis.
Wonder thrives in young children. They are naturally curious and seek to “know” things with all their senses. They are open to and drawn by both “physical” and “spiritual” wonders, the natural and supernatural.