School Readiness

School readiness refers to a child’s ability to make a smooth and successful transition into schooling. While many people focus on academic skills—such as writing their name, counting to ten, or identifying colors—school readiness actually involves a much broader range of essential developmental areas.

These include:

Self-care abilities, such as using the toilet independently and opening a lunchbox
Attention and concentration, to stay focused during lessons
Physical development, such as being able to sit upright for long periods
Emotional regulation, to manage feelings appropriately
Language skills, both understanding and using language
Social and play skills, like sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative play

These foundational skills help children engage effectively with teachers, peers, and the learning environment.

Why Are School Readiness Skills Important?

Children who enter school without these foundational skills often struggle to keep up with their peers. This can result in slower progress in both learning and social development, and may lead to frustration or the development of unhelpful behaviors. Having school readiness skills in place gives children the best chance to thrive and enjoy their school experience from the beginning.

To ensure we can provide a high-quality and safe learning environment, Wisdom requires that all learners demonstrate core school readiness skills.

Checklist A – Building Blocks of School Readiness

To be considered school ready, children should show development in the following areas:

Self-regulation – managing emotions, behavior, attention, and activity levels in a socially appropriate way
Receptive language – understanding spoken English language
Expressive language – using speech or other forms of communication to express thoughts, needs, and ideas
Emotional regulation – recognizing and managing emotions appropriately
Social skills – interacting well with others, sharing, compromising, and following social rules
Self-care skills – managing tasks like toileting and dressing independently
Fine motor skills – small movements using hands and fingers, such as writing or cutting
Contextual awareness and task focus – understanding the difference between playtime and learning time, and being able to transition appropriately. This includes being able to sit down, follow instructions, and participate in structured learning activities when required.

Checklist B – Signs That a Child May Not Be School Ready

If a child has difficulties with school readiness, they might show the following:

Frustration when expectations are placed on them
Difficulty following instructions in daily routines
Dependence on adults for basic self-care, such as dressing
Not yet toilet trained during the day
Shorter attention spans than peers
Social immaturity, such as difficulty sharing or adapting to game rules
Limited understanding or use of language
Difficulty understanding the consequences of their actions
Disinterest in books or structured, sit-down activities
Challenges in interacting with other children
Limited or inflexible play (struggles to change or expand play scenarios)
Resistance to trying new activities or developing new skills
Difficulty accepting help or instruction from adults

Note: A child must not display these challenges to be considered school ready. If any of these signs are present, further development and support may be needed before starting school.