Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* Kinder: German for "children"
* Garten: German for "garden"
While the literal meaning refers to a garden, it's used metaphorically to describe a place where children can grow and learn, similar to how plants grow in a garden.
Kindergarten is considered the first stage of formal education, where children learn basic skills like:
* Letters and numbers
* Colors and shapes
* Social skills
* Creative expression
* Problem-solving
So, although it might seem like a strange term, kindergarten is a very fitting name for this important early childhood program!