Term 3 ends on Friday 23 October, and for PP1 and PP2 families that means the end of a school year. PP1 children move up to PP2. PP2 children move up to Grade 1, which is a bigger step than many parents expect.
Pre-primary in Kenya is not about exams. Teachers observe children as they play, talk and work, and record what they see. Parents can do the same thing at home, and it is far more useful than buying a stack of worksheets in the last week of term.
The skills below are what most children are working towards by the end of each year. They are a guide, not a checklist to pass. Children develop at different speeds, and a child who is behind in one area in October is often caught up by March.
Skills by area: PP1 and PP2 side by side
| Area | End of PP1, usually working towards | End of PP2, usually working towards |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Speaks in short sentences, names familiar objects, listens to a short story and answers simple questions about it | Retells a short story in order, recognises most letter sounds, begins to read simple words and writes their own name |
| Mathematical activities | Counts objects to about 10, sorts by colour or size, recognises simple shapes | Counts objects reliably to about 20 or beyond, writes numbers, adds and takes away small amounts using objects |
| Environmental activities | Names body parts, common animals and plants, talks about weather | Describes how to care for plants and animals, talks about safety at home and on the road, notices changes around them |
| Psychomotor and creative activities | Runs, jumps, throws a ball, holds a crayon, scribbles with purpose | Hops, catches a ball, cuts with safety scissors, draws recognisable pictures, holds a pencil correctly |
| Social and self care | Takes turns with help, uses the toilet, washes hands | Plays cooperatively, follows two or three step instructions, dresses with little help |
| Religious education | Joins in simple prayers or songs from the family faith | Retells a simple story from their faith, talks about kindness and sharing |
How to check at home, through play
Children show what they can do when they are relaxed. Sitting a four year old down and asking questions like a test usually produces silence. These checks fit into a normal day.
Language
- The bedtime story check. Read a short story, then ask "what happened first?" and "what happened at the end?" A PP2 child should be able to put two or three events in order.
- I spy with sounds. "I spy something that starts with mmm." Letter sound games show a PP2 child's phonics far better than reciting the alphabet.
- Name writing. Ask your PP2 child to write their name on a drawing. Note whether they start at the left and form the letters in the right direction.
Mathematical activities
- Setting the table. "We need a cup for each person." This checks counting and matching one to one, which matters more than counting out loud.
- Sorting the shopping. Put tomatoes in one pile, onions in another, then ask which pile has more.
- Bottle tops. For PP2, put out five bottle tops, take two away, and ask how many are left. Let them touch and count.
Environmental activities
- The walk. On a walk to the shops, ask them to name animals, trees and what the weather is doing. Ask a PP2 child what we must do when crossing the road.
- A small job. Watering a plant or feeding chickens lets a child explain what living things need.
Psychomotor and creative activities
- Ball games outside. Throwing, catching and kicking show coordination clearly.
- Drawing a family. Ask them to draw everyone at home. Look at the pencil grip and whether people have heads, bodies and legs.
- Paper cutting. Draw a straight line on old paper and let a PP2 child cut along it with safety scissors.
Social and self care
- Instructions in a row. "Take off your shoes, put them by the door, then wash your hands." Can they remember all three?
- Getting dressed. Let them dress for school on a weekend morning with as little help as possible.
What to do with what you notice
Write down two or three things your child does well and one or two they find harder. Keep it short. That note is more useful than any certificate, because it tells you what to practise over the long holiday.
- If your child is ahead in an area, give them more of it. Children enjoy what they are good at, and confidence spreads.
- If your child is behind in one area, practise it through play for ten minutes a day. Short and often beats long and rare.
- If your child is behind in several areas, or you are worried about hearing, sight, speech or movement, talk to the teacher before school closes. Early help makes a large difference at this age.
Teachers keep observation records and portfolios for each child. Our questions to ask at a Term 3 parents meeting will help you get the most from that conversation.
Getting a PP2 child ready for Grade 1
Grade 1 brings longer school days, more sitting still and more formal reading and writing. The most helpful preparation is not academic. It is a child who can sit and listen for a short story, look after their own belongings, ask for help, and use the toilet independently. Reading together every day over the holiday does the rest. Our guide for Grades 1 to 3 shows what comes next.
Frequently asked questions
Does my PP2 child need to read fluently before Grade 1?
No. Most children are still building letter sounds and simple words at the end of PP2. Fluent reading develops through the early grades. Interest in books matters more right now than speed.
Do PP1 and PP2 children sit end of year exams?
Pre-primary learners are assessed mainly through observation, portfolios and checklists rather than written exams. Some schools give simple activity sheets, but these are not high stakes.
My child knows the alphabet song but not the letter sounds. Is that a problem?
It is very common. The song helps with letter names, but reading uses sounds. Play sound games daily and most children pick them up quickly.
How long should home practice be at this age?
About ten to fifteen minutes at a time, built into play and daily routines. If your child is bored or upset, stop and try again another day.
For ready made activities that match what your child has covered this term, see the PP1 Term 3 Complete Bundle and the PP2 Term 3 Complete Bundle.
PP1: Term 3 Complete Bundle
Every subject for Term 3 in one download: notes, practice and full answer keys, with exam revision included.
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