By Christy Sparling, Occupational Therapist
Is your child ready for kindergarten?
Your child is old enough to start kindergarten — but how to know if your child is ready for it?
Here are a few checklists to help you determine if your child has the preschool foundation skills to help them be successful in Kindergarten.
Reading and Writing Readiness Checklist
- Participates in songs, finger plays and class activities
- Demonstrates self care skills and desire for independence (washes hands)
- Plays cooperatively, using words to resolve most conflicts (sharing)
- Follows directions for class routines and transitions
- Says the alphabet and counts to 10+
- Uses names for colours shapes, letters and numbers in play and conversation
- Establishes hand preference and uses correct grip for colouring and writing
- Holds paper with helping hand when colouring, drawing and writing
- Traces and copies shapes, letters and numbers, using correct formation habits
- Draws generally recognizable pictures using simples shapes and lines
- Writes name and has left-to-right directionality
- Writes letter-like forms, letters or scribbles to represent words and ideas
Numbers and Math Readiness Checklist:
- Builds with blocks or construction blocks
- Completes shape puzzles up to 10 pieces
- Uses position words (top, bottom, front, back, etc.)
- Sorts objects by attributes (colour, shape, size, type)
- Shares using strategies ( 1 for you, 1 for me, divide dough in half)
- Compares 2 objects ( length, height, width, weight, capacity)
- Counts a set of objects accurately up to 10
- Make a set of objects to match a number
- Matches numerals and quantities (matches 5 with a picture of 5 birds)
- Takes away objects from a larger set and counts how many are left
- Writes numbers from 1-10 that start at the top and face correctly
Social Emotional Skills Checklist:
- Demonstrates positive self esteem
- Demonstrates self-care skills, using the bathroom, and dressing (putting on coats, washing hands) as age appropriate and ability-appropriate
- Names Body Parts
- Imitates teacher’s body movements
- Separates without anxiety- separate from caregiver without stress
- Manages emotions – through negotiation and cooperation
- Makes transitions – handle well and without incident
- Classroom routine – understands and follows classroom routine
- Cleaning and classroom care – participates in classroom cleanup routines, works with other children
- Treats property with respect
- Shows a desire for independence
- Initiative for learning- shows interest in many different activities
- Understanding own feelings – names feelings he or she is experiencing
- Comprehending emotional states of others – names emotions displayed by others
- Empathy for others – shows empathy by offering comfort and help when appropriate
- Comfortable adult interactions – interacts easily with familiar adults
- Play with other children – cooperates with other children
- Participates in imaginary and dramatic play
- Takes turns with peers
- Cooperative problem solving – works with others to solve problems