Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Tick skills off together over the summer — one or two at a time, no pressure. Unticked boxes aren't problems; they're just what kindergarten is for.
🧦 Taking care of me
- ☐Uses the bathroom and washes hands by myself
- ☐Opens my own lunchbox, wrappers and water bottle
- ☐Puts on my shoes and coat (velcro counts!)
- ☐Says goodbye at drop-off with our special ritual
- ☐Asks a grown-up for help when I need it
👂 Listening & playing
- ☐Follows two-step directions ("shoes in the basket, then sit down")
- ☐Takes turns and shares (most of the time!)
- ☐Sits with a story for five-ish minutes
- ☐Tidies up toys when it's tidy-up time
🔤 Letters & words
- ☐Recognises my own name in writing
- ☐Knows some letters (about half the alphabet is great)
- ☐Holds a crayon or pencil comfortably
- ☐Tries writing some letters of my name
🔢 Numbers & shapes
- ☐Counts 5–10 real things, touching each one
- ☐Knows "the last number I say is how many"
- ☐Spots circles, squares and triangles
- ☐Compares — which pile has more?
💛 Feelings
- ☐Can name happy, sad, angry and scared
- ☐Knows wobbly feelings about new things are okay
- ☐Has practised our morning routine like a rehearsal
Free from The Learning Garden · ad-free learning games for ages 3–8 ·
the full guide lives at kindergarten readiness checklist.