Cheryl Millar - Speech Language Pathologist
phone. 780-995-4423 | Edmonton, Alberta
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  • What is Speech Therapy?
  • Preschool
    • School Readiness Checklist
    • Boosting language skills
    • ACTIVITY: A place for placemats
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    • ACTIVITY: Making a Folded Paper Animal
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Is your child ready for kindergarten?

Boosting language skills

A place for placemats

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.

Home
About Me
Contact
Services + Fees
What is Speech Pathology?
Preschool
School-Age