The core elements of a software development kit (SDK) include libraries, APIs, documentation, and tools designed to facilitate software development for specific platforms. Libraries provide pre-written code that developers can leverage to speed up the development process, while APIs (application programming interfaces) enable communication between different software applications. Comprehensive documentation offers essential guidelines and instructions on how to effectively utilize the SDK, ensuring a smoother development process. Additionally, tools within the SDK may assist in debugging, testing, and optimizing applications, ultimately streamlining the software development lifecycle for developers.