School Readiness Checklist

Starting school is such an exciting time! You may find this checklist helpful to prepare for the big day.

Each child is unique; each child has their own strengths and challenges. To thrive in kindergarten, there are some key communication skills that your child requires.

Listening skills

Can your child:

hear and understand most of what is said at home and at daycare or preschool?
understand instructions of up to three steps and ask for clarification?
understand a range of concepts like “before” and “after”?
answer “wh” questions such as questions starting in “what” or “why”?
pay attention to a short story and answer questions about the story?

Speaking skills

Can your child:

speak clearly and maintain eye contact?
usually be understood by other people (even strangers)?
use age-appropriate vocabulary, such as correct words for items at home and school like “table” and “pencil”?
talk in whole sentences using adult-like grammar, such as using “I”, “me”, “you”, “he” and “she” correctly?
describe recent experiences and retell stories?

Social language skills

Does your child:

face the person they are talking to and maintain eye contact?
start conversations and stay on topic?
take turns in conversation?
ask for and accept help if necessary?
use language for a variety of social reasons (for example, to compliment, persuade or ask for a favour)?

Pre-reading skills

Is your child:

interested in books (the pictures and the print)?
curious about reading?
starting to learn the alphabet?
aware of rhyming words?
interested in playing with words? Does your child enjoy rhymes, rhythms and nonsense syllables?

Please contact me to discuss how I can help your child get ready for a great first year of school. For example, I offer an 8 session school readiness program.