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National Kindergarten Day

Join your child at kindergarten by volunteering and engaging with kids of this adorable age. Don’t have kids?

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Celebrate National Kindergarten Day by positioning your brand as a partner in early childhood learning and family engagement—from classroom supplies to parent appreciation gifts.

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Teacher appreciation gift guides: curated products to thank kindergarten educators
DIY kindergarten craft kits for parents to recreate classroom fun at home
Back-to-kindergarten volunteer prep: what parents need to know
Nostalgic kindergarten memories: share your favorite classroom moment

History

The year was 1779, and it became apparent to a young Johann Friedrich Oberlin that there were many children in his Strasbourg community that were left alone during the day while their parents were away dealing with their other responsibilities.

He and Louis Scheppler got together to create the first kindergarten, a school aimed at taking these children and teaching them during these hours.

Kindergarten comes from a mid-19th century German word which translates to mean “children’s garden.” Frobel believed that young children learn best when they are able to freely explore their own interests, and we can see that belief evident in the numerous activities like singing, dancing, and creative play in kindergarten today.

This set a precedent that was soon emulated the world over, first in 1780 in Bavaria, and then in Detmoid in 1802 by Princess Pauline zur Lippe.

In 1816 Robert Owen founded the first one in New Lanark, Scotland, and then in 1819 Samuel Wilderspin pushed the idea in earnest, creating one in London, and then hundreds more to follow.

Almost all of us attended kindergarten, and if you’re like us, you remember it as a magical time of learning, snack-time, and play with new friends.

What started as an idea in a small German town became the foundation of a standard of learning that has stood the test of time and proven to be an incredibly important part of our formative years.

Kindergarten helps children to express and explore their creativity. It also teaches children to ask questions and learn the answers to the things they don’t know.

Curiosity is so important, and kindergarten teaches children that questions can be answered. It also helps to foster independence by having children learn to be responsible for their own possessions and to help clean up messes, turn in work, and learn basic life skills.

National Kindergarten Day was first celebrated over a century ago, back in 1924. The event encourages everyone to remember these days and the incredible man who started it over 200 years ago!

How to celebrate

Go Back to Kindergarten

If you have Kindergarten age children, then a great opportunity exists for you to call these days. Go with your child to school and volunteer to help out with the curriculum and joy that comes with so many eager young minds in a place of learning. Kindergarten teachers are usually excited to have help in the classroom to read to children, help with small group activities, or manage classroom parties. The excitement for learning and laughing from these children can be contagious!

Show Appreciation to Kindergarten Teachers

Even if you are not able to physically be in the classroom, make an effort to appreciate your child’s kindergarten teacher. Sending in a small gift or heartfelt note of gratitude to the teacher can go a long way in boosting their mood and helping them feel appreciated for a hard job that isn’t always recognized.

Learn the History of Kindergarten

Friedrich Frobel was a visionary who believed in preserving and encouraging the magic and wonder in children. His philosophies on encouraging play and interest-based learning are still groundbreaking today. His life story and passion to start kindergarten are fascinating and spending time learning about his life can help us to appreciate our children and see things from their perspective more often.

Do Some Fun Activities

If you want to bring a little bit of it home then maybe incorporate some fun memories you have from kindergarten in your home. Do some finger painting with your children, or sing some silly songs. Make a fun snack that looks like an animal and dress up in a costume to fight a monster. Embrace your own inner child and don’t be afraid to be silly! Even better, research has shown the importance of nap-time, so maybe have some cookies and milk and lay down for a nap in the middle of the day, embracing the sweet memories of kindergarten while getting some quiet cuddles from your child.

Incorporate Story Time

Who didn’t love storytime as a kindergartener? Grab a pile of books and snuggle up to read some of your favorite stories to your child. An even better idea would be to take a trip to the library and explore the endless possibilities for your child’s imagination. Reading books while drinking hot chocolate, wrapped up in a big blanket in bed, or hidden away inside a blanket fort are more ways to embrace the wonderful excitement of being a child.

Make Up Some Stories

After reading some stories, it could be fun to create some of your own. Young children have wonderful imaginations, and making up silly stories can be a great way to get the creative juices flowing. You can start with an existing story and pretend your child is a character. How would the story be different? What would they choose to do? Or you can start completely new and incorporate some of their favorite interests. No matter how you choose to celebrate with your child, the important thing is to spend time with your child and make sure they know they are loved.

FAQ

How does kindergarten support a child’s social and emotional development?

Kindergarten gives young children regular practice with skills such as sharing, taking turns, managing frustration, and resolving conflicts with peers. Research in early childhood education shows that high‑quality kindergarten programs that use play, small‑group activities, and explicit teaching of social skills can improve children’s self‑regulation, empathy, and cooperation, which are linked to better outcomes in later schooling and life.

Is play-based learning in kindergarten as effective as more academic instruction?

Studies comparing play-based and highly academic early classrooms have found that children in play-rich, developmentally appropriate kindergarten settings typically develop equal or stronger literacy and math skills over time, while also showing better motivation and social competence. Professional organizations in early education recommend integrating guided play and hands‑on exploration rather than relying heavily on worksheets or test‑style drills in kindergarten.

What age do children usually start kindergarten in different countries?

The typical starting age for kindergarten or its equivalent varies around the world. In the United States, most children begin kindergarten at age 5, while in Canada and Australia many start between 4 and 5, depending on the province or state. In countries like Germany and Japan, a separate preschool or “kindergarten” period usually covers ages 3 to 6 before children transition to primary school, and in some Nordic countries formal schooling begins at 6 or 7, with earlier years focused on play and social development.

How can families tell if a child is ready for kindergarten beyond just age?

Experts recommend looking at a mix of factors rather than age alone, such as whether a child can follow simple directions, communicate basic needs, participate in group activities for short periods, and manage some self‑care tasks like using the bathroom and handling outerwear. Emotional readiness, like being able to separate from caregivers with support and show some impulse control, also matters. Pediatricians and early childhood educators often encourage families to discuss individual strengths and needs instead of relying only on arbitrary cutoff dates.

Is it harmful to push advanced academics in kindergarten?

Research suggests that exposing children to rich language, stories, and early math concepts is beneficial, but making kindergarten overly rigid or test‑driven can increase stress and reduce motivation to learn. Studies have linked very high academic pressure in early grades to more behavior problems and less creativity, especially when children have limited opportunities for movement and play. Major pediatric and early education groups advise balancing early literacy and numeracy with play, physical activity, and social‑emotional learning.

How important are kindergarten teachers’ qualifications for children’s outcomes?

Children in classrooms led by well‑trained kindergarten teachers, particularly those with specialized preparation in early childhood education, tend to show stronger gains in language, early math, and social skills. Research also links teacher qualifications and ongoing professional development with more responsive interactions, better classroom organization, and more effective use of play-based and small‑group instruction that supports diverse learners.

What role do families play in supporting what children learn in kindergarten?

Family engagement is strongly associated with better attendance, higher achievement, and smoother behavior in kindergarten. Simple practices such as reading together daily, talking about the school day, maintaining routines for sleep and meals, and keeping in touch with the teacher help children feel secure and reinforce skills learned at school. Programs that intentionally involve families, rather than expecting learning to happen only in the classroom, tend to show the greatest long‑term benefits.