A Relaxed TK Readiness Checklist for Parents

This is a checklist to notice where your child is, not a test to pass. Every child grows at their own pace, and teachers expect a wide range in TK.

How to use this list

Read through it once and tick what your child already does. Pick one or two items that are close and give them a little extra attention for a few weeks. Skip anything that does not fit your family. If you have a real concern about your child's development, talk to your pediatrician or your school; a checklist cannot replace that.

Independence and routines

• Washes and dries hands with reminders.
• Puts on a jacket and tries to manage zips or velcro.
• Carries their own backpack and lunchbox.
• Uses the toilet independently, or tells an adult when they need to go.
• Follows a simple two-step instruction, such as "put your shoes away and wash your hands".

To practice, let your child do the small jobs themselves even when it is slower, and build a predictable morning routine with a picture chart if that helps.

Talking and listening

• Says their first name and often their last name.
• Speaks in short sentences that a stranger can mostly understand.
• Listens to a short picture book from start to finish.
• Answers simple questions about a story: who, what, where.
• Can wait a turn in a conversation or a game.

To practice, ask open questions at dinner ("What was the best part of your day?"), read together every day, and let your child retell the story in their own words.

Early literacy

• Recognizes some letters, often the ones in their own name.
• Knows that print carries meaning and a book has a front and back.
• Plays with rhymes and silly sounds.
• Tries to write or scribble their name.

There is no need to know the whole alphabet. If your child recognizes five to ten letters you are well ahead of what teachers expect. See our guides to teaching letters and to rhyme and sound games.

Early math

• Counts a small set of objects, touching each one once.
• Understands "more" and "fewer" for small groups.
• Names circle, square, and triangle.
• Notices simple patterns such as red-blue-red-blue.

To practice, count real things: stairs, grapes, steps to the car. Our number sense guide has more ideas.

Hands and bodies

• Holds a crayon with some control and draws lines and circles.
• Tries scissors and snips paper.
• Runs, jumps, climbs, and balances on one foot for a moment.
• Strings beads, builds with blocks, or squeezes playdough.

Play-based activities build the small hand muscles that handwriting needs later. The pencil grip guide covers this in detail.

Feelings and friends

• Names a few feelings such as happy, sad, and angry.
• Can calm down with help from a grown-up.
• Plays alongside or with other children, and is learning to share.
• Separates from a parent with some tears but recovers.

To practice, name feelings out loud as they happen ("You look disappointed that we have to leave the park") and read picture books about feelings. Visit the park or a library story time to practice being part of a group.

More guides

• What Is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?
• Pencil Grip and Fine Motor Skills for Four-Year-Olds
• How to Teach Letters at Home (Without Flash Cards)

This guide is general information for families and is not medical or professional advice. If you have concerns about your child's development, talk to your pediatrician or your school.