Kindergarten Checklist for Parents

    This is a "yes" or "no" checklist. The more "yes" answers your child has in August, the more time (s)he can spend getting along and learning with his/her Kindergarten class. Over the summer please give your child the chance to do and practice the things (s)he hasn't mastered yet.

    Maturity and Social Adjustment:

  • Gets along with others, shares, plays, and participates in activities
  • Takes care of toilet needs independently
  • Demonstrates self-help skills: buttons, ties, zips, snaps
  • Pays attention to a short story when it is read aloud
  • Remembers instructions and carries out 2 or 3 simple tasks after being told once. ("Pick up the book, bring me the pencil, and close the door.")
  • Can be away from home for 2 to 3 hours without being upset

    Vocabulary and General Knowledge:

  • Can retell a story using pictures and can answer simple questions about it
  • Tells left hand from the right hand
  • Repeats simple rhythms
  • Repeats a series of 4 numbers without practice (say after me-6,1,7,4)
  • Uses 5 to 6 word sentences
  • Can express needs and be understood
  • Understands that print has meaning
  • Tells you the meaning of simple words like bicycle, apple, car, hammer,etc.
  • Knows the names and functions of common objects
  • Knows some basic colors and shapes
  • Knows some basic body parts
  • Counts objects to 10
  • Understands terms such as up, down, next, to, on, top, last, between
  • Puts together a puzzle of at least 3 to 6 pieces
  • Knows full name, first and last name of parents, address, telephone number, and the day and month of his/her birthday

    Motor Skills:

  • Walks in a straight line
  • Walks backward for a distance of 5 or 6 feet
  • Stands on one foot for 5 to 10 seconds
  • Alternates feet walking down stairs
  • Can run, jump, hop
  • Can throw and catch a 10 inch ball
  • Draws and colors, beyond a simple scribble
  • Uses scissors, pencils, and crayon carefully
  • Uses a table knife for spreading jam or butter
  • Can draw or copy a square
  • Can paste and trace

    Skills not necessary nor recommended prior to kindergarten:

  • Alphabet letters and sounds taught by drilling or direct instruction
  • Rote counting to 100
  • Writing using only capital letters

    Springdale Title I Parent Center
    May 1998