School Readiness: Skills Children Need Before Starting Kindergarten

What Is School Readiness?
School readiness refers to the developmental skills that help children succeed in a structured learning environment.

These include:
• Social skills
• Communication skills
• Attention and listening
• Fine motor abilities
• Independence with daily tasks

Children do not need to master every skill before starting school, but developing these abilities can make the transition smoother.

Social Skills
In a classroom environment, children benefit from being able to:
• Take turns during activities
• Share materials
• Play cooperatively with peers
• Follow simple classroom rules

These skills help children build friendships and participate comfortably in group activities.

Communication Skills
Communication plays an important role in classroom participation. Children benefit from being able to:
• Express needs and ideas
• Follow instructions
• Ask for help when needed
• Engage in conversation with peers

Speech-Language Pathologists often support these skills.

Attention and Listening
Children entering kindergarten are typically expected to:
• Sit for short group activities
• Listen to instructions
• Transition between activities
• Focus on simple tasks
Developing these skills helps children engage with classroom learning.

Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are important for many classroom activities, including:
• Holding a pencil or crayon
• Cutting with scissors
• Drawing shapes
• Completing crafts

Occupational Therapists often support children who find these tasks challenging.

Independence Skills
Basic independence skills help children navigate the school day more comfortably.

Examples include:
• Putting on coats or backpacks
• Using the bathroom independently
• Opening lunch containers
• Cleaning up after activities

When Therapy Can Help with School Readiness
Some children benefit from additional support when preparing for school.
• Occupational therapy can help with motor skills, handwriting, attention, sensory regulation, and independence with daily routines.
• Speech therapy can support communication, language development, literacy, and social interaction skills.
• Physical therapy can help improve strength, balance, coordination, and gross motor development.
• Social work and psychotherapy can support emotional regulation, anxiety, confidence, behaviour, and social skills.

Early support can help children feel more confident, capable, and prepared for the transition to school.

School Readiness Support in Ontario
Many families in Ontario seek therapy support before their child begins kindergarten.

At Oaknine Healthcare, therapists help children build the developmental skills needed for a successful transition into school. Therapy sessions are offered in-home or virtually, helping make services more accessible for families and allowing therapy to take place within a child’s natural routines.

Providing therapy in familiar environments can help children feel more comfortable and engaged, while also allowing therapists to develop strategies that fit naturally into everyday life. Virtual sessions can also be a flexible option for families who prefer support from home or benefit from parent coaching.

Our therapists work collaboratively with families to create practical strategies that support children’s participation, independence, and confidence in daily activities at home and school. The goal is to make therapy accessible, engaging, and meaningful, while supporting each child’s unique strengths and needs.

Final Thoughts
Every child enters school with different strengths and experiences. Supporting school readiness skills can help children feel confident, capable, and ready to participate in their new environment.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, we’d love to connect to discuss how therapy might help.

Learn more about our services here!

Alyson Oaknine, Founder and Occupational Therapist, OT Reg. (Ont.)

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized assessment or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.