30 Learning Goals for Preschoolers You Can Track at Home

This post is all about learning goals for preschoolers.

Learning Goals For Preschoolers That All Parents Should Know

Preschool is such a magical stage! One moment your child is figuring out how to hold a crayon, and the next they’re proudly writing the first letter of their name. These early years are full of discovery, and it’s incredible how much learning happens through play, conversation, and everyday routines.

But as parents, it can be hard to know what skills to focus on before kindergarten. That’s where preschool learning goals come in. They’re simple, age-appropriate milestones that help you support your child’s growth without turning playtime into “school.”

Also see: What Your Child Needs To Know Before Kindergarten

To make it easy (and fun!) I created two printable tools you can use at home:

A Preschool Learning Goals Checklist to track progress and celebrate each new milestone.

A Learning Goals Bingo game that turns these skills into a fun family challenge. When your child gets a Bingo, they earn a special prize or reward!

Both printables are included in the bundle and are designed to help your preschooler build confidence while keeping learning lighthearted and playful.

As a means for providing for my family I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links on this page. Full Disclosure can be found here.

What Are Preschool Learning Goals (and Why They Matter)

Preschool learning goals are simple, skill-based milestones that help prepare your child for kindergarten. They’re things like recognizing letters, counting objects, or learning their address. But these goals go beyond academics. They also nurture independence, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional awareness.

Setting small learning goals helps children:

Build confidence as they master new skills

Develop consistency through everyday practice

Learn responsibility and the joy of completing a task

Strengthen parent-child connection through shared learning moments

The best part? Most of these goals can be practiced during daily life. It can be counting snacks, naming colors during play, or talking about feelings after story time.

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. The purpose of learning goals isn’t to compare your child to others, but to celebrate growth and guide their learning in a joyful, natural way.

30 Learning Goals for Preschoolers

Preschool learning goals cover a mix of academic, social, emotional, and practical life skills. These are the foundations that help kids feel confident and ready for kindergarten. And most can be learned naturally through play and everyday experiences.

You can use this list as a reference or download my Preschool Learning Goals Printable Bundle (which includes both the checklist and Bingo board!) to make tracking progress easy and fun.

Personal Information & Safety

I can say my full name.
I can say how old I am.

I know my parents’ (or caregivers’) names.
I know my home address.
I know my phone number (or how to call for help).

💡 Practice tip: Make learning your address or phone number into a song or chant. Remember, repetition through rhythm helps it stick!

Language & Literacy

I can recognize and name all the letters in the alphabet.
I can match letters to their beginning sounds.

I can write my first name.
I can hold a book correctly and turn the pages.
I can retell a simple story in my own words.

💡 Practice tip: Point to words and letters while reading together. Let your child “read” their favorite story to you from memory!

Numbers & Math Readiness

I can count to 20 (or higher).
I can recognize numbers 1–10.

I can name basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).
I can sort things by color, size, or shape.
I can make simple patterns (like red-blue-red-blue).

💡 Practice tip: Use snacks or toys for sorting and counting, it turns math into playtime!

Fine Motor Skills

I can hold a pencil or crayon correctly.
I can use scissors safely.

I can glue small objects neatly.
I can button, zip, or snap my clothes.
I can string beads or complete simple puzzles.

💡 Practice tip: Coloring, playdough, and crafts help strengthen hand muscles for writing later on.

Gross Motor Skills

I can hop on one foot.
I can catch a large ball.

I can balance while walking on a line.
I can run, jump, and climb safely.
I can follow directions in movement games (like Simon Says).

💡 Practice tip: Play simple obstacle courses or backyard games that build balance and coordination.

Social and Emotional Skills

I can share toys and take turns.
I can use words to say how I feel.

I can follow simple rules and routines.
I can ask for help when I need it.
I can be kind to others and use good manners.

💡 Practice tip: Use storybooks or pretend play to talk about feelings and problem-solving.

Make Learning Fun with Preschool Learning Goals Bingo

Learning new skills doesn’t have to feel like “work” for preschoolers. Rather, it can be a game! That’s why I created a Preschool Learning Goals Bingo board to go along with the checklist. Each square represents one of the 30 goals, from recognizing shapes to sharing toys.

Here’s how it works:

Print out the Bingo board and hang it somewhere your child can see.

As your child masters a new goal, have them color in, sticker, or stamp that box.

When they get a full row (up, down, or diagonal), celebrate with a small reward. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy. For example, rewards can be things like a trip to the park, an extra bedtime story, or picking what’s for dinner.

The goal isn’t to finish quickly, but to make learning exciting and rewarding. Kids love seeing their progress, and parents get a visual reminder of how much growth is happening week by week.

💡 Tip: You can even laminate the blank version of the Bingo board and use dry-erase markers to play again and again throughout the preschool years, and beyond. Set new goals as your child learns and grows.

Grab the Printable Preschool Learning Goals Bundle

If you want to make it easy to track progress and keep your child motivated, grab the Preschool Learning Goals Printable Bundle.

It includes:
-Full 30-goal checklist to track skill-building progress
-Bingo-style game board to make learning fun and interactive
-A bonus reward ideas list to celebrate achievements

This bundle is perfect for parents who want a fun, visual way to support their preschooler’s learning at home. No prep work or fancy materials needed.

👉 You can get your Preschool Learning Goals Printable Bundle here!

Print it, post it, and watch your preschooler light up with pride each time they check off a new “I can” skill!

Tips for Supporting Your Preschooler’s Learning at Home

Working on learning goals for preschoolers doesn’t have to mean sitting at a desk and doing worksheets. The best learning happens naturally, through curiosity, exploration, and play! Here are a few ways to help your preschooler grow while keeping things fun and low-pressure:

Keep learning playful
Turn learning into games, songs, or challenges. Practice counting by stacking blocks, find letters on cereal boxes, or spot shapes during walks.

Use everyday moments
Life is full of teachable moments. Cooking together builds math and motor skills, sorting laundry reinforces colors, and reading bedtime stories boosts language and imagination, and so on.
Celebrate effort, not perfection
Preschoolers thrive on encouragement. Praise their persistence and curiosity rather than focusing only on getting the “right” answer.
Follow their interests
If your child loves cars, count them! If they love animals, talk about habitats or start an “animal alphabet.” Their natural interests will lead to deeper learning.

Give them time
Some skills take weeks or months to click, and that’s totally okay. Kids develop at different paces, and progress is progress, no matter how small!

When learning feels fun and low key, your child will build confidence and curiosity that lasts far beyond the preschool years.

Final Thoughts

Preschool is such a special time. It’s full of curiosity, imagination, and endless “I did it!” moments. Setting gentle learning goals helps guide that excitement in a way that feels fun, not forced.

Whether you’re using the Preschool Learning Goals Checklist to track milestones or the Learning Goals For Preschoolers Bingo board to make it into a game, the goal is simple: celebrate growth and make learning an adventure.

Each time your child proudly says, “I can do it!”, it’s a happy moment to be celebrated!