If you aren’t sure if your preschooler is ready for kindergarten, you can create your own test. This has two advantages. The first is that you can determine what you and preschooler should work on this summer. The second is that this gives them a little experience of what to expect when they walk into that classroom for the real assessment test.
Create an Alphabet Sheet
You can create on the computer or draw your own chart featuring the letters of the alphabet. The letters should be in random order. Create several different versions with the letters in different orders to really test their skills. They need to be able to identify the letter. Later on, you can use these sheets as a way to test their phonic skills.
Your preschooler should be able to at least write and spell their name. So, ask them to sign their name on a blank sheet of paper. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect, it just needs to be legible. Boys typically have a little harder time with this skill because they would rather play than draw. But you can still make them practice by asking them to sign their artwork.
One of the tests is used to test counting skills. They are asked to count up as high as they can and to count down from ten. You can test this skill by asking them to count objects higher than ten. Don’t be surprised if there is some hesitation in the teen numbers such as twelve, thirteen, or fourteen. Many preschoolers have trouble with those numbers. Don’t stress it too hard, if they mess up a little on their counting skills. Practice the backward count with things like a rocket launch.
Color identification is fairly easy to develop a test for. Create a game by having your preschooler bring toys with the requested color or pointing out objects with those colors.
Test their knowledge of shapes by drawing them on a piece of paper. The square, triangle, and rectangular are typical ones tested. Thrown in a few other shapes to make it a little more challenging. You can print these figures out if you have trouble drawing them.
Testing your preschooler for kindergarten is a way to ensure that they are ready for school. You can easily make this testing into a game. It will help them get prepared for the real testing that they will have to do before they start kindergarten.