Kindy · Age 4
Kindy at 4: colours, sorting and getting ready for school
In New Zealand, kindergarten — kindy — is one type of early childhood service, not a school year. Children go from age 2 or 3 until they start school. Here are short games for 4-year-olds in the last year before school.
Getting started
A five-minute game for today
Tip out a pile of socks and ask your child to sort them by colour. Then ask: “Which pile is the biggest?” Finish by finding the pairs together.
Together 01
What kindy is in New Zealand
Kindergarten is one type of early childhood education service. It is not a set year with a fixed age: children attend from 2 or 3 until they start school, usually at 5.
Together 02
Colours in Ziippi
In Discover, the voice asks “Which one is red?” and your child chooses between four coloured circles. Because the instruction is spoken, they don’t need to read, and they can hear it again as often as they like.
Together 03
Sorting at home
Putting toys away by type, sorting the washing by colour or putting spoons with spoons are all sorting games. Ask why something went in a group: the answer tells you how they are thinking.
Together 04
The year before school
Before the first day, practise the small things at home: opening a lunchbox, putting on shoes, asking “Can you help me?”.
Frequently asked questions
Is kindy compulsory in New Zealand?
Kindy is not school. What the law sets is that a child must start school by age 6; they can start from their fifth birthday.
How long should my child play?
A few minutes is enough. Stop when they lose interest and come back another day.
Where do I download Ziippi in New Zealand?
Use the download buttons on this page: they open Ziippi’s listing on the App Store or Google Play.
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