Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

Are you nervous about your child not being ready for kindergarten? Do not worry, you still have time to make sure your child is prepared. You do not need to send your child to a special tutor because you are capable of preparing your child for kindergarten right at home. Whether you are homeschooling or sending your child to public school, this list works for both situations.

Let’s start with general readiness:

1. Your child should be able to listen to basic directions. (Sending him or her to do a small job is a big part of being ready for kindergarten).
2. Cutting with scissors. This is a scary part of kindergarten, but totally important. (You do not want your child waiting for the teacher to help with their scissor activities every time).
3. A child entering kindergarten should understand that there are different times of the day. (Example-Learning time, play time, lunch time, and so on).
4. Understanding that when mom or dad are not available to give directions, that the teacher is in charge. (Also known as listening to authority).
5. A beginning kindergartner should (attempt) to know the ABC song from start to finish.
6. A child entering kindergarten should be able to recognize almost every letter of the alphabet (upper case and lower case).
7. The child should also have a general understanding of the sounds in the alphabet. (This is something great to work on the summer before Kindergarten).
8. This is an important one: potty trained. Some children are not fully potty trained, even by five. This is a must if you are going to send your child to school half days or full days.
9. Pre-k students should be able to talk in complete sentences, express their ideas, and describe “how” things look or seem to be.

Social

You might not know if your child is ready socially. Check out this list and see what you think after reading.

1. Your child initiates play with other children–and also plays well with others.
2. Can dress his or herself to the best ability possible (Knowing underwear going on the inside of their clothes is a good start ;)).
3. Has the ability to ask for help when needed.
4. Can communicate with adults and children.
5. Has the ability to accept a routine and be flexible with changes.
6. Has the ability to exercise self control, follow simple directions, and regulate emotions (as much as a child can, most adults can’t even regulate their own emotions).

Motor Skills

1. They say a Kindergartner should be able to tie their own shoes (this is something I believe is learned at many different ages).
2. The pre-k student can ride a tricycle and has started to ride a bicycle with training wheels.
3. Your child should be able to use building blocks, hold a pencil, and even bounce a ball.
4. Loves using skills such as running, jumping, and climbing on things.

Reading (the Big Scary One)

Most parents are SO nervous about their child learning how to read. Here are some skills your child needs to learn how to START reading.

1. Recognize “some” letters and sounds.
2. Your child should be able to pick up a book and know the difference between upside down and upside ‘right.’
3. They should understand the basic concept behind reading. (Following along in a book and making up own story to go along with the picture).
4. Has the ability to put a story in order from start to finish.
5. Can use imagination or common sense to put stories together.
6. Blending words together and recognizing some site words is also important.
7. Has a desire to learn how to read, requests books to be read to him or her.
8. Can recognize own name in print.
9. Attempts to write name in print and recognizes the letters of name in print.

Math

1. Counts from 1-10 (might have a little trouble but that’s okay).
2. Knows the difference between adding and subtracting something. (Might recognize that sister has 2 cookies and he only has 1).
3. Recognizes numbers 1-10 and is attempting to move further up in the number learning chain.
4. Can identify a missing number in a sequence (4, ___, 6 – What number is missing? 5)

Free Kindergarten Readiness Checklist Printable

Click the the link below to print the Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.

Shew! That sounds like a lot doesn’t it? If you were to compare this list to your child, I’m sure they would come up on top. If not, it’s okay to start the learning process now. It’s not a contest to see who knows the most before Kindergarten; this is to help your kindergartner. The more they know now the more prepared they will be for the transition coming up.