The School Readiness Checklist: How to Give Your Child a head start

Starting school is a big step for any child, and as a parent, it can be difficult to know what you can do to help your child prepare for this important milestone. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are certain things that you can do to give your child an edge before day one.
In this article, we'll go over a comprehensive school readiness checklist that you can use to help your child prepare for the transition to school. This checklist covers everything from the basics of school readiness to more advanced skills that will give your child a competitive advantage when they start school. This checklist will also help your child start school with greater confidence.

1) Basic school readiness skills

Before your child starts school, they should have a basic understanding of a few key skills. These include:
· Recognizing their own name: Your child should be able to recognize their own name when it is written or spoken. This will help them feel more comfortable when they start school and see their name on their cubby or on their work.
· Knowing their address and phone number: Your child should be able to tell someone their address and phone number in case of an emergency.
· Basic self-care skills: Your child should be able to take care of their own basic needs, such as going to the bathroom, washing their hands, and getting dressed.
· Basic social skills: Your child should be able to follow simple instructions, share, take turns, and show empathy towards others.

2) Communication skills

Communication skills are an important part of school readiness. Your child should be able to:
· Speak clearly: Your child should be able to speak in complete sentences and be understood by others.
· Listen and understand: Your child should be able to listen to and understand simple instructions and questions.
· Ask questions: Your child should be able to ask questions when they don't understand something.
· Read and write: Your child should have a basic understanding of the alphabet, numbers, and simple words.
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3) Fine motor skills

Fine motor skills refer to the use of small muscle groups in the hands, fingers, and wrists. These skills are important for activities such as writing, cutting, and using scissors. Your child should be able to:
· Hold a pencil or crayon correctly: Your child should be able to hold a writing utensil with a proper grip.
· Cut with scissors: Your child should be able to cut along a straight line with scissors.
· Use buttons and snaps: Your child should be able to use buttons and snaps to fasten clothing.
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4) Cognitive skills

Cognitive skills refer to the mental processes that are used to acquire, understand, and use information. These skills include:
· Problem-solving: Your child should be able to use logic and reasoning to solve simple problems.
· Memory: Your child should be able to remember simple information, such as their address and phone number.
· Attention: Your child should be able to focus on a task for a short period of time.
· Numbers and counting: Your child should have a basic understanding of numbers and counting.
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5) Emotional and behavioural skills

Emotional and behavioural skills refer to the ability to understand and manage emotions and behaviours. These skills include:
· Self-regulation: Your child should be able to calm themselves down when they are upset or frustrated.
· Empathy: Your child should be able to understand and share the feelings of others.
· Cooperation: Your child should be able to work with others and take turns.
· Following rules: Your child should be able to understand and follow basic rules and routines.
By working on these skills with your child before they start school, you can give them a solid foundation for success. Keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, so don't be too hard on yourself or your child if they're not quite ready for everything on this list. It's also important to remember that school readiness is not just about academic skills. Your child's social and emotional development is just as important as their cognitive skills.
In addition to working on the skills listed above, there are a few other things that you can do to help your child prepare for school:
· Read to your child: Reading to your child every day can help them develop a love of books and improve their reading and language skills.
· Visit the school: Before school starts, take your child to visit their new school. This will help them get familiar with their new surroundings and reduce any anxiety they may have about starting school.
· Get involved: Attend parent-teacher conferences and volunteer at your child's school. This will help you stay informed about your child's progress and give you an opportunity to be more involved in their education.
Talk to your child's teacher: Ask your child's teacher about any concerns you have or any specific skills you'd like your child to work on. They'll be able to give you some guidance on how to help your child at home.
Starting school can be a daunting and overwhelming experience for both you and your child, but it needn’t be that way. By working on the skills listed in this checklist and being involved in your child's education, you can help them start school confidently and successfully.
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