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Kindergarten Readiness: Are they ready for school?

When a child starts kindergarten, it is an exciting time for everyone; including the child, parents, and the kindergarten teacher.  Whether you are a first year teacher, or a parent asking if your child is ready for kindergarten, you will want to look over this kindergarten readiness checklist.

As many of you know, prior to becoming a teacher blogger, I taught kindergarten for 17 years.  This list was put together using my teaching experience, along with public and private school teacher recommendations. When considering if a child is ready for kindergarten, it is important to know that kindergarten readiness combines social, emotional, and physical abilities.

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

• Keep hands to self
• Cooperate and play with other kids
• Use supplies appropriately: using scissors to cut and correctly hold a pencil
• Follow directions
• Communicate needs to others
• Use the restroom independently
• Knows how to put on and zip their coats
• Knows first and last name
• Can write their first name, or at least attempt to write some letters of their name

• Identify the letters of their first name
• Count a small set of objects (up to 10)
• State their age and birthday
• Puts written numbers in order 1-5
• Recognizes first name in print: this will help when finding their cubby, coat hook, lunch box, folder, etc.
• Speaks in complete sentences 4-7 words
• Listen to short stories without interrupting
• Respond to redirection and positive reinforcement
• Trace basic line strokes: i.e. straight, curved, zig zag.

• Separate from parents without melt-downs
• Identify rhyming words.
• Can repeat back a complete sentence after you say it aloud.
• Recite simple nursery-rhymes to demonstrate early language skills.
• Age: Many states want kids to turn 5 on or before September 1 before starting school.

Conclusion

Knowing whether or not a child is ready for kindergarten can be overwhelming. It is important to consider factors, such as their birthday, social/emotional development, and physical abilities, before deciding if your child is ready for kindergarten registration. Children’s skills change often. Therefore, if they don’t demonstrate some of these skills now, assess again in a week or two, and see if there is progress.

 

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