Usually age 5–6

Kindergarten in BC: what your child learns and what's open to them

16 contests and programs open to kindergarten students in British Columbia. You don't need to do all of them. Pick the ones that match what your child enjoys.

BC curriculum

What your child learns in Kindergarten

A plain-language summary of the official BC curriculum for kindergarten math and English language arts.

Math

Counting to 10, matching one number word to each object, and linking groups of objects to the written numbers 1 to 10.
Seeing small amounts at a glance, like knowing a dice face shows 5 without counting, and finding different ways to make 5 and 10 (such as 4 and 1, or 6 and 4).
Noticing how a group changes when you add or take away, using real objects (start with 4 blocks, what do you need to make 6?).
Spotting and making simple repeating patterns with two or three parts, like red, blue, red, blue.
Comparing things directly: which is longer, taller, heavier, or holds more.
Sorting shapes and objects by one feature, using position words like beside, under and on top of, and making simple picture graphs as a class.
Talking about whether everyday events are likely or unlikely, noticing Canadian coins, and playing store with simple prices.

Reading, writing and speaking

Enjoying stories, rhymes, tongue twisters and songs, and talking about the beginning, middle and end of a story.
Learning how books work: holding a book, reading left to right, and matching spoken words to printed words.
Recognizing and naming most letters, matching many letters to their sounds, and recognizing some familiar words like their own name and signs around them.
Playing with the sounds in words: hearing rhymes, clapping syllables, and blending sounds together (c-a-t makes cat).
Using pictures, patterns and memory to make sense of a story and retell parts of it.
Listening, taking turns and sharing ideas in conversation, and using scribbles, letter strings and drawings to share meaning in writing.

Easy ways to help at home

Count real things together: stairs, apples in the bag, spoons on the table.
Read aloud every day if you can, and pause to ask what might happen next.
Sing rhymes and play "I spy something that starts with the sound mmm".
Make patterns with beads, blocks or snacks and let your child continue them.
Play store with a few coins and toy items. Keep prices small and the mood silly.

little and often beats long and hard

What do Emerging, Developing, Proficient and Extending mean on the report card?

Emerging: Your child is beginning to understand something in an area of learning. They are still learning but may need more support to move ahead. Emerging doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
Developing: Your child understands some things in an area of learning but still has other areas to work on. Like Emerging, it doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
Proficient: Proficient is the goal for your child, and for all students. It means they fully understand the required learning. It doesn't mean their learning stops.
Extending: Your child shows a deeper understanding and can apply their learning in new and different ways. Extending is not the goal for all students in every area of learning.

Source: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care: K-12 Student Reporting, Information for Parents and Caregivers

Sources: BC Curriculum: Mathematics Kindergarten · BC Curriculum: English Language Arts Kindergarten

Language & reading

BC Summer Reading Club

A free summer reading program at BC public libraries. Kids track their reading, collect stickers and earn a medal. Runs from about mid-June to August.

K–Grade 8Free

Arts, music & chess

Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program Exams

Graded music and theory exams used across Canada. For the January 2027 practical exams, register by November 3, 2026.

K–Grade 12Fees depend on the subject and…Arts, music & chess

Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival

Metro Vancouver's large music competition festival, with feedback from adjudicators. Solo registration runs November 2, 2026 to January 18, 2027.

K–Grade 12Entry fees vary by class Arts, music & chess

BC Youth Chess Championship and Canadian Youth Chess Championship

Rated chess tournaments for players under 18. Score 50% at a qualifier, such as the BC Youth Chess Championship, to play at the national CYCC each July.

K–Grade 12Varies by tournament