Standards & What They Mean for Your Child

Your child should know what leaders do — at home (parents), at school (principal, teacher), and in the community (mayor, police, firefighters).

Your child should understand that everyone in a community has important jobs — not just people in charge.

Your child should explain why we have rules and laws — to keep people safe, be fair, and help everyone get along.

Your child should be able to say what a government is (the group of people who make and carry out the rules for a community, state, or country) and name a few things it does, like making laws, keeping people safe, and running schools and parks.

Your child should be able to explain how people in a community share jobs and work together, and who is in charge of what (the crossing guard, the librarian, the mayor).

Your child should practice being a good citizen — taking turns, being honest, respecting others, and helping out.

Your child should see examples of how groups of people cooperate — neighbors, clubs, towns — to get things done that one person couldn't do alone.

Your child should practice listening to others, waiting their turn, and following discussion rules when making group decisions.

Your child should notice that people can see the same situation differently, and should be able to say what they think and compare it respectfully with what others think.

Your child should be able to describe fair ways a group can decide something together, like taking a vote, taking turns, or talking until everyone agrees.

Your child should be able to name rules in public places (the library, the pool, the playground) and explain what each rule is for.

Your child should be able to tell about a person or group who made their community better, in the past or today, and how they did it.