School readiness is a measure of how prepared a child is to succeed in school.  It refers to the skills a child needs to acquire to be successful in a school setting, both cognitively, socially, and emotionally. 

Signs of school readiness 

• A child is resilient and ready to take part

• A child is able to take risks, ask questions, and find solutions

• A child is able to separate from their parent or carer
• A child is able to identify themselves by name, age, and family members
• A child is curious and confident about learning

School Readiness Checklist

A school readiness checklist can include a child's independence, gross motor skills, and social skills. It can also include their ability to understand and express themselves, and their emotional development. 

Independence 

• Can ask to go to the toilet

• Can wash their hands

• Can eat with a knife and fork

• Can drink out of a cup

• Can put on their own coat and shoes
• Can use the toilet independently
• Can dress and undress themselves

Gross motor skills Can jump with their feet together, Can hop on one foot, Can skip, Can balance on one foot for 10 seconds, and Can move each finger independently. 

Social skills Can share with toys, Can take turns, Can tidy away their toys, Can wave and say goodbye, and Can listen to and follow simple instructions. 

Other factors that indicate school readiness include: 

• Self-regulation

• Sensory processing

• Receptive and expressive language

• Articulation

• Executive functioning

• Emotional development and regulation

• Curiosity and confidence about learning

What activities can I do at home with my child to help prepare them for starting school?

• Spend some time supporting your child to develop independence, such as practising putting their coat, shoes and jumpers on independently.
• Ensure your child is fully toilet trained and can use the toilet and wash their hands without help.
• If your child will be taking a packed lunch to school, you could go for a picnic in the park where they can practise opening and closing their lunch box and food packets.
• If your child will be having a hot dinner at school, practise sitting at a table, using a knife, fork and spoon during meal times.
• Your child will benefit from having experienced being away from you for short periods of time, such as going to a friend or family member's house to play. Play dates with other children will also help your child to get used to sharing and interacting with others.
• Practise listening and attention skills, such as reading stories together or going for a 'listening walk' outside.
• Ensure your child is used to following simple instructions - you could play a game of 'Simon says'.
• Play counting games, shape games and sing number rhymes together.
• Practise drawing with a range of tools, looking at a range of different story books and recognising their own name written down.