Free printable

Kindergarten readiness checklist

Skills many students have by the time they start kindergarten, grouped the way early-learning guidelines group them. Every student develops at their own pace, so use it to see what to practice, not as a test.

Download the printable checklist (PDF)

Reading it here is free for everyone. To download or print it, create a free account: it takes a minute, no card. Then tick what your student already does and circle what to practice.

To print this checklist, create a free account at uponlylearning.com (no card needed), then download the printable PDF.

Getting along with others

  • Takes turns and follows the rules when playing games with others CDC
  • Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating CDC
  • Sings, dances or acts for you CDC

Talking and listening

  • Tells a story, heard or made up, with at least two events CDC
  • Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it CDC
  • Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges CDC
  • Uses or recognizes simple rhymes, like bat–cat or ball–tall CDC

Letters and early reading

  • Names some letters when you point to them CDC
  • Writes some letters in their own name CDC

Numbers and math

  • Counts to 10 CDC
  • Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them CDC

Attention and thinking

  • Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during an activity like story time or crafts (screen time does not count) CDC
  • Uses words about time, like yesterday, tomorrow, morning and night CDC

Moving and doing

  • Buttons some buttons CDC
  • Hops on one foot CDC

Ready for more math?

These are the eight units of our Prepare for Kindergarten: Math book. They go a step past the CDC milestones above.

  • Counts out loud to 20 Prepare book
  • Counts objects, saying one number for each Prepare book
  • Knows the numbers 0 to 10 Prepare book
  • Tells which group has more, fewer or the same Prepare book
  • Names basic shapes Prepare book
  • Sorts objects into groups Prepare book
  • Continues a simple pattern Prepare book
  • Compares bigger, longer and taller, and uses above and below Prepare book

If you are worried

The CDC's advice is not to wait: talk with your pediatrician, share what you have noticed and ask about a developmental screening. You can also contact your state's early intervention program.

Practice this summer

Questions parents ask

Is this a test my student has to pass?

No. Kindergarten does not require these skills, and every student develops at their own pace. The list shows what many students can do by age 5, so you know what to practice.

Where do the items come from?

The CDC's Milestones by 5 Years, grouped by the preschool domains of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. The math extras are the units of our Prepare for Kindergarten: Math book.

Is the PDF free?

Yes. Reading the checklist on this page is open to everyone. Downloading or printing the PDF needs a free account, with no card and no charge, ever.

Sources