Free printable download
Kindergarten readiness checklist
Every spring I hear from parents worried their five-year-old can’t read yet. Almost none of them need to worry about that. This one-page checklist covers what South Orange County kindergarten teachers actually hope your child can do in September — and the things you can stop worrying about.
Print it, stick it on the fridge, tick things off.
One page, real checkboxes, no email signup required.
The short list teachers actually ask about
- Uses the bathroom completely independently
- Opens their own lunch containers, wrappers and water bottle
- Zips a jacket and puts on shoes
- Takes care of their own backpack and belongings
- Follows a two-step direction (“put that away and come sit down”)
- Separates from you without a meltdown
- Raises a hand and waits a turn to speak
Talking and listening
- Speaks in full sentences most adults can understand
- Tells a simple story with a beginning, middle and end
- Answers questions about a book you just read together
- Plays with rhymes (“what rhymes with cat?”)
Early letters and numbers (nice, not required)
- Recognizes most uppercase letters
- Writes their own first name, more or less
- Counts to 10 and counts objects one at a time
- Recognizes a few beginning sounds (“S is for Sam”)
Hands and pencil
- Holds a pencil or crayon with fingers, not a fist
- Uses child-safe scissors along a line
- Draws a person with a head, body, arms and legs
What you can skip worrying about
- Reading — kindergarten is for learning to read
- Writing in lowercase or on lined paper
- Addition and subtraction worksheets
Not sure where your child stands?
I’ll tell you honestly — even if the answer is “she’s fine, relax.” Free consultation, no contracts.