Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten: An OT Checklist

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone. Here's what occupational therapists look for in school readiness and how you can help prepare your child. Fine Motor Skills: ✓ Holds crayons/pencils with a functional grasp ✓ Uses scissors to cut along a line ✓ Colors within boundaries ✓ Copies basic shapes (circle, square, cross) ✓ Writes first name Activities: Playdough, beading, tearing paper, tracing, coloring books Self-Care Skills: ✓ Uses the bathroom independently ✓ Washes and dries hands ✓ Puts on coat and manages fasteners ✓ Opens lunch containers ✓ Manages snacks and drinks Activities: Practice at home, allow extra time, use visual checklists Gross Motor Skills: ✓ Runs, jumps, and climbs safely ✓ Navigates playground equipment ✓ Sits upright at a desk ✓ Stands in line Activities: Playground play, obstacle courses, animal walks Social-Emotional Skills: ✓ Separates from parents ✓ Follows multi-step directions ✓ Takes turns and shares ✓ Expresses needs verbally ✓ Manages transitions Activities: Playdates, practice routines, social stories Sensory Regulation: ✓ Tolerates busy environments ✓ Sits for short activities (10-15 minutes) ✓ Manages sensory input in classroom Activities: Gradually expose to busier environments, practice sitting activities If your child is struggling in any of these areas, there's still time to build skills before kindergarten. Consider an OT evaluation if concerns are significant.