Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
The transition from play based preschool to structured, academic Kindergarten can be challenging for many children. They no longer have hours of free play and endless choices throughout the day. Students have to follow a routine in a new environment, be part of and cooperate within a larger group, listen and follow directions, and make new friends, all while learning how to read, write, and count to 100!
I created this comprehensive checklist from my experience teaching in the Kindergarten classroom. I hope you find this resource helpful in evaluating your child’s readiness!
For a professionally administered evaluation or a free consultation, contact me! Available by phone, zoom, or in person: Liz@myprimaryprep.com
ALSO AVAILABLE: A comprehensive Kindergarten Readiness program to teach your child the academic skills on this checklist. Click HERE!
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist: Academic Skills
LITERACY
My child can:
Write their first name independently
Identify most uppercase letters
Identifying most lowercase letters
Identify most letter sounds
Identify and produce rhyming words
Answer questions about a story Identify story sequence
Bonus skills:
Write letters (other than ones in their name)
Read CVC words (ie: cat, sit, top, etc)
Read sight words (ie: the, and, at, to, etc)
Identify how many syllables in a word
Identify the beginning, middle and ending sound in a word
MATH
My child can:
Count to 10 aloud
Identify numbers 0 to 10
Count up to 10 objects
Identify common shapes
Identify and extend patterns
Sort objects by attributes
Bonus skills:
Write numbers
Identify numbers higher than 10
Count higher than 10
Count on from a number other than 1 (ie: 3, 4, 5, ___?)
FINE MOTOR
My child can:
Hold a pencil correctly
Use scissors and cut somewhat accurately
Use glue appropriately
Have control when coloring with crayons/markers
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist: Social/Emotional Skills
There are many social and emotional skills that are important for a smooth transition from preschool to primary school. In order for your child to be able to learn, they have to be comfortable navigating a new environment with new teachers and friends. Having these skills will help them be successful both inside the classroom and at lunch and recess.
SOCIAL
My child is able to:
Cooperate with peers
Share and take turns
Get along with peers their age
Listen and follow directions
Listen and communicate with adults and peers
Ask for help when needed
Respect adults and peers
Problem solve independently
Show patience when waiting for attention from a grownup
EMOTIONAL
My child is able to:
Empathize with others
Regulate their emotions and behaviors
Separate easily from parents
Interpret others’ behaviors and emotions
Express themselves and communicate their feelings
Persevere when faced with a challenge
Have a positive self image
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
My child is able to:
Clean up after themselves
Dress, eat and go to the bathroom independently
Able to sustain attention for a period of time
Take risks
Follow multi-step directions
Transition from one activity to the next with relative ease
To download and print this checklist, click HERE!
