Elementary Education, earliest program of education for children, beginning generally at the age of five or six and lasting from six to eight years. In most countries elementary education is compulsory for all children. In much of the United States a year of kindergarten often precedes the first grade of the 8-year elementary course. In the larger communities special classes or schools are usually provided for children who have physical or developmental disabilities. The purpose of the elementary school is to introduce children to the skills, information, and attitudes necessary for proper adjustment to their community and to society. Basically, the subjects taught are reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and handicrafts. These are often supplemented with other subjects, such as foreign languages. Over the years new subject matter has made the elementary school curriculum more advanced than heretofore.

On completion of their elementary schooling, pupils continue their education in a junior high school or high school.

See also Grammar School.