If your child will be beginning school this year, you may be wondering exactly what is on the Kindergarten Readiness Test? While Kindergarten readiness tests can vary from school to school, the types of questions and tasks which will be presented to your child are generally very similar. Also called Pre-Kindergarten Assessments, Kindergarten readiness tests involve identification, sorting, drawing, writing, stacking, cutting, walking heel to toe, hopping, and other such activities.

Your child’s teacher will be assessing the level of knowledge and skill your child has in comparison to state standards and to the other children in the class. This is so that an individual lesson plan can be created; in other words, a set of goals for your child and an overview of the steps to be taken to reach those goals. Most children beginning Kindergarten already have some basic knowledge of the alphabet, numbers, and even writing or drawing, usually learned in preschool.

The identification category usually involves pointing to, or saying the names of, objects, emotions, and colors depicted on cards or in the test guide. Your child may be asked to identify drawings of familiar things, such as household items, animals, or activities. Color and shape recognition is evaluated as well. The teacher may ask about drawings showing children who are smiling or frowning, what is happening in the picture, and how the person in the picture feels. Often the question is posed, “What would you do? How would you feel if that were happening to you?”

Your child may be directed to write his or her name, and to copy simple drawings, such as a circle, a straight line, and an “x”. Proper finger placement, pressure with the pencil, and ability will be noted. Your child may be asked to recite the alphabet from memory, as well as count to twenty. The teacher may evaluate your child’s skill in cutting shapes out with scissors.

Sorting is a category which involves shape and color recognition, the ability to count, and the ability to recognize similarities and differences. Kindergarten readiness tests usually include sorting based on both objects and drawings. For example, the teacher may have a set of ten or twenty small plastic toys and blocks of different colors. Your child would then be asked to give the teacher six red toys, or nine bears as opposed to dogs. Separating the colors into groups, counting them, and stacking are normally included in the assessment tests. Cards or pages showing a group of items may be shown, and your child may be asked to identify which items are different, for instance, an apple, orange, lemon, and shoe.

Your child’s physical development is assessed through a few fun activities. Your child may be asked to jump, hop, stand on one foot, and walk touching heel to toe. Not all children can complete all of these tasks, with the most difficult being walking touching the heel of one shoe to the toe of the other. The teacher is primarily evaluating strength and balance.

It is important to remember that the purpose of the Kindergarten Readiness Test is to evaluate your child’s knowledge and skill level prior to the beginning of Kindergarten in order to identify areas which need improvement, and formulate a plan to help your child succeed in the coming year. Kindergarten readiness tests are useful tools for both teachers and parents.

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Kindergarten readiness:

*Varies from child to child

*Includes mental, physical, emotional and social development

*Can be assessed by your child’s pediatrician

*Is usually assessed with a Kindergarten Readiness Test at your child’s prospective school

Is your child well prepared for entering Kindergarten? Kindergarten classes today focus on teaching the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as furthering your child’s social and emotional development. In order for your child to comfortably participate in classroom activities and be able to understand and utilize the knowledge presented, your child should have a good foundation in the following areas which are used to determine Kindergarten readiness.

One of the most important qualifications of Kindergarten readiness is the ability to understand and follow the teacher’s directions. Your child will be functioning in a classroom setting, and will not have the undivided attention of the instructor. Consider enrolling your child in small group activities before entering Kindergarten. Children who have not attended preschool may find it very difficult to be separated from their parent, and may feel nervous as part of a group. Organized sports for preschoolers, summer day camps, or organized play groups are a great starting point. Additionally, places such as “The Little Gym” offer a variety of fun, age appropriate classes for infants and small children geared towards developmental progression in a group setting. Check your local newspapers or search online for activities for children in your area.

Social development refers to your child’s ability to interact with others. Does he play well as part of a group? How does she relate her needs and feelings to adults? Social development is an important part of Kindergarten readiness, but is also an area in which children quickly progress once in the Kindergarten classroom setting. To help your child, encourage open communication between adults and children, and have your child join in active play with other children. Taking advantage of playgrounds, parks, and store play areas are all fun, free ways to foster social development.

Kindergarten readiness includes the ability to react appropriately to both social and environmental stimuli. Your child’s emotional development plays a large role in her immediate response to situations. He needs to be able to identify his emotions and communicate them appropriately. Talk with your child about feelings like being sad, being happy, and what they mean. Helping children express feelings through communication better enables them to react appropriately when faced with new and sometimes difficult situations.

Physical development is considered for kindergarten readiness, although it is not as important as mental, social, and emotional development. If your child is behind in the category of physical development, your family pediatrician most likely has spoken to you on the subject. Engaging in active play with your child is very important. You might find your child enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, which can be done together, and are also learning opportunities. Discourage or limit time spent watching television, and encourage your child to participate in daily tasks as well as fun activities. Gross and fine motor skills development is very important, and even mundane daily activities like sweeping the floor or watering the plants can be great fun for a child while fostering physical development. Matters of appearance, such as height and weight, are the least important for Kindergarten readiness.