What is Kindergarten Readiness Testing?

Kindergarten readiness testing is conducted to ensure a child is developmentally ready to begin kindergarten and to determine whether any additional classroom support may be needed. 

What Skills are Assessed?

Although many everyday tasks need to be taught and practiced,  children may be required to recollect certain skills prior to entering kindergarten. However, skills may vary from school to school. Depending on the district, some schools may look for more skills than those listed below, and some may look for less. 

• • Self-Care Skills – During kindergarten readiness testing, children may be assessed on various self-care skills, including their ability to wash their own hands, put on their own shoes, eat lunch or snacks without assistance, put on their own jacket and zip it closed, use the bathroom by themselves, and dress back up after using the bathroom.
  • Language Skills – A child’s ability to communicate, comprehend and follow instructions will be assessed during kindergarten readiness testing. This includes, speaking in complete sentences, following directions with at least two steps, answering basic questions, and rhyming simple words. 
  • Cognitive Skills – A child’s ability to gain meaning and knowledge from experiences and information is assessed during readiness testing. These skills include, identifying objects by shape, color or size, recognizing and completing a pattern, correctly identifying four colors, body parts and objects, and recognizing their own name in writing. 
  • Motor Skills – Gross and fine motor skills may be assessed during kindergarten readiness testing. Gross motor skills include running, skipping, throwing, catching, kicking, walking backward, and walking up and down stairs. Fine motor skills include cutting with scissors, holding and using a pencil, drawing correct shapes, tracing a variety of shapes, and fitting pieces into a puzzle. 

Kindergarten Readiness Testing In The Woodlands

In addition to helping a child become emotionally and socially ready for kindergarten, certain skills will need to be assessed to ensure readiness. If there are concerns regarding a child’s development or their inability to meet certain growth milestones, proper testing and assessment may be necessary to discover an underlying issue. 

Geo-Anna Q. Hirshenbaum PhD, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, provides extensive kindergarten readiness testing in The Woodlands, Texas. Through careful analysis, Dr. Hirshenbaum’s assessment process allows for diagnostic clarity and individualized recommendations to move forward in pinpointing issues of distress, planning effective treatment, and reaching personal goals.