Sending Your Child to Kindergarten

In most school systems, public and private, children are accepted into kindergarten based on their age. If they are 5 years old before a set deadline (usually Sept. 1 of a particular school year), they can start school. Parents of children often wonder if their child is truly ready to go to kindergarten, especially if the child will turn 5 very close to the deadline. They may worry that their child is not yet mature enough, or that the demands of the classroom may be too much for their child to handle. In fact, children do mature at different speeds, and their level of maturity is just as important as their actual age in considering whether they are ready for kindergarten.

The following list can help you measure your child's readiness to start school. Don't worry if your child cannot do every item, but it is important to understand that a child who is ready for kindergarten typically has most of these skills.