Preschool Common Core Standards are a set of educational benchmarks used to prepare children for kindergarten. While the official Common Core State Standards (CCSS) apply from kindergarten to 12th grade, educators can adapt these principles to create a strong academic foundation for preschoolers, ensuring they are ready for the transition to school.
As children approach school age, it is vital for their teachers and caregivers to have a plan in place for their academic success. Preschool is a key milestone in this journey, serving as the final step before kindergarten. This places preschool teachers in a unique position to develop curricula that help children transition smoothly and confidently.
To achieve this, more teachers are incorporating preschool common core standards into their lesson plans. This article explains what these standards are, why they were created, and how you can use them to build a strong educational foundation for the children in your care.
What are common core standards?
Common Core State Standards are a consistent set of learning goals in mathematics and language arts for each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. They outline the essential knowledge and skills students need to graduate from high school prepared for college or the workforce. By setting clear benchmarks for each grade, the standards ensure that children across different schools and states are learning at a similar pace.
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Use this free checklist to assess a child’s progress, identify strengths, and promote growth.
Why were the common core standards created?
The Common Core Standards were created to establish a consistent and high-quality educational framework across the United States. Before their introduction, each state set its own educational standards independently. This resulted in wide variations in curriculum quality and learning expectations.
Even with federal mandates like the No Child Left Behind Act, proficiency standards differed significantly between states. This meant that children in the same grade were not always guaranteed the same access to knowledge. In response, educational stakeholders like the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association developed the Common Core to set appropriate, consistent standards that states could adopt to improve student outcomes.
How are children evaluated on the common core?
Children are evaluated on their mastery of the Common Core Standards through standardized tests administered throughout their education. While a majority of states have developed their own unique tests, others have adopted assessments from multi-state consortiums like the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) or the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).
Why are preschool common core standards important?
Applying the principles of Common Core to preschool is important because it creates consistency and raises the bar for early childhood education. This ensures that children are learning at a rate that sets them up for future success.
Key benefits include:
- Building a strong foundation: Prepares children for the academic expectations of kindergarten.
- Ensuring consistency: Helps ensure children who move between states are not significantly ahead or behind their new classmates.
- Boosting confidence: Allows children to transition into kindergarten more seamlessly and confidently, which supports their entire academic career.
How to implement preschool common core standards
Although there are no official Common Core standards specifically for preschool, educators can take several steps to prepare children for the kindergarten standards in their state.
1. Read up on your state's early learning standards
Early learning standards provide a framework for children’s developmental goals at key milestones. These standards help teachers promote holistic growth and recommend educational approaches that prepare children for kindergarten. Each state has its own set of standards, so it's essential to know what your state mandates.
2. Promote learning across developmental domains
Children’s progress is often measured across four main developmental domains: physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional. While each child develops at a unique pace, you can create lessons that promote growth across all domains.
Regularly observe and monitor each child’s development to identify areas where they might need extra support. Tools like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire® (ASQ) or a milestone checklist can help track behaviors and detect potential delays early.
3. Continuously familiarize yourself with kindergarten common core standards
Stay informed about the current Common Core standards for kindergarteners in your state. If the standards change, you can adjust your curriculum accordingly. This allows you to compare new benchmarks to your children’s development and better assess their readiness for the next stage of their education.
Final thoughts
Common Core standards offer a necessary framework for creating consistent, rigorous benchmarks that teachers can use to guide their curriculum. By understanding your children's developmental stages and creating lesson plans aligned with kindergarten standards, you can effectively implement preschool common core principles. This approach will equip your preschoolers with the skills and confidence they need to succeed as they enter their formal schooling.
Frequently asked questions
Do all states use Common Core standards?
No, not all states use Common Core. As of 2025, forty-one states, the District of Columbia, and four territories use the standards. Some states that initially adopted them have since repealed the practice.
Are there official Common Core standards for preschool?
No, there are no official Common Core standards specifically for preschool. Educators can, however, use kindergarten-level standards as a guide to prepare children for their entry into elementary school.
What is the main goal of using common core principles in preschool?
The main goal is to ensure preschoolers are prepared for the academic and developmental expectations of kindergarten, helping them make a smooth and successful transition to their formal education.
