| Stage | Also called | Typical age | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| LKG (Jr KG) | Lower KG, Junior KG, Pre-primary 2, Balvatika 2 (in many government schools) | About 4 to 5 years | The alphabet, numbers up to 20 and early writing |
What children usually learn in LKG
- The alphabet A to Z with letter sounds (in Gujarati or Hindi schools, the first aksharas or varnamala)
- Recognising numbers 1 to 10 and counting objects to 20
- Shapes, colours, big and small, more and less
- Pre-writing strokes: standing, sleeping and slanting lines, and curves
- Rhymes, stories and simple conversation
- Family, body parts, fruits, animals and everyday words
- Cutting, pasting and colouring to build finger strength
- Good habits: sharing, listening and tidying up
Easy ways to help at home (10 to 15 minutes)
- Trace letters with a finger in a tray of rice or sand
- Play I spy with letter sounds
- Count steps, toys and fruits up to 10, then 20
- Draw lines and curves before letters
- Match number cards to groups of objects
- Read the same picture book again and again
Signs your child may be ready for LKG
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Things to keep in mind
- Build hand strength with play before long writing: dough, beads, drawing.
- Ten to fifteen minutes is enough. Long worksheets tire small children.
- Follow your school's order of languages. Many schools introduce one script at a time.
- Keep screens short and shared. WHO guidance suggests no more than 1 hour a day of sedentary screen time for ages 2 to 4.