As a School Psychologist, I want to help you prepare your child for a smooth transition into Pre-K. Below is a list of key skills that will help your child feel confident and ready for school. Don’t worry if your child hasn’t mastered everything yet—Pre-K is a learning experience, and teachers will continue to support their development!
1. Social-Emotional Skills
- Can say goodbye to you with minimal distress (it’s okay if they need a little reassurance!)
- Follows simple routines, like cleaning up after playtime
- Expresses basic emotions and needs with words (e.g., “I’m sad,” “I need help”)
- Shares and takes turns with other children (this will continue developing in school)
- Begins to manage feelings with support (e.g., waiting patiently, calming down when upset)
- Engages in pretend play with toys or other children
2. Communication & Language Skills
- Follows simple directions, like “Put your shoes on” or “Bring me the book”
- Uses simple sentences to talk about what they want or need
- Understands and responds to basic questions (e.g., “What is this?” or “Where is your toy?”)
- Listens to and enjoys stories, songs, or rhymes
- Speaks clearly enough that familiar adults can understand most words
3. Thinking & Early Learning Skills
- Recognizes and names some colors and basic shapes
- Shows interest in books, letters, and numbers
- Counts small groups of objects (e.g., “1, 2, 3” when pointing to toys)
- Asks “why” or “how” questions about the world around them
- Enjoys solving simple problems during play (e.g., fitting puzzle pieces together)
4. Fine & Gross Motor Skills
- Holds crayons, markers, or a pencil with a basic grip
- Can turn pages of a book and stack blocks to build a small tower
- Uses child-safe scissors to cut along a line (with guidance)
- Runs, jumps, and climbs stairs while holding onto a railing
- Uses hands for simple self-care (e.g., buttoning, zipping, opening lunch containers)
5. Self-Help & Independence Skills
- Uses the bathroom independently or asks for help when needed
- Washes hands and covers mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Begins to dress themselves (pulling up pants, putting on shoes with Velcro)
- Cleans up toys with reminders
- Carries a small backpack and helps put their things away
How Can You Support Your Child at Home?
✅ Encourage independence by letting them practice self-care tasks with your support
✅ Read together daily and talk about pictures, letters, and new words
✅ Play with your child—pretend play, puzzles, and games build thinking and social skills
✅ Set simple routines for bedtime, meals, and cleanup to build structure
✅ Practice social skills by setting up playdates or encouraging turn-taking at home
💡 Remember: Every child develops at their own pace, and Pre-K teachers will continue to guide your child’s learning. The best thing you can do is encourage exploration, independence, and a love for learning!