Website checklist: School Readiness Skills (Beyond ABCs)
A free checklist for parents of 3–4 year olds, by Dr. Sumeet Dhawan
Knowing ABCs and numbers is nice, but schools look for something more important: can your child listen, follow, communicate, wait and manage small tasks? Tick each skill your child can do most of the time.
Skill 1: Attention and listening
- Turns to look when name is called once or twice
- Looks at the person who is talking to them
- Listens to a short story or song for 3–5 minutes
- Looks where you point
Skill 2: Following instructions
- Follows a 1-step instruction without gestures (“Bring your shoes”)
- Follows a 2-step instruction (“Pick up the cup and give it to Papa”)
- Understands “on”, “in” and “under”
- Stops when told “wait” or “stop”
Skill 3: Communicating needs
- Asks for water, food or toilet with words or clear gestures
- Says or signals “help” when stuck
- Uses 2–3 word sentences (“Mummy, pani do”)
- Can say their own name when asked
Skill 4: Sitting, waiting and turn-taking
- Sits for 5–10 minutes for colouring, a puzzle or a story
- Waits for a turn in a simple game
- Plays near or with other children without hitting or biting
- Settles within a few minutes after the parent leaves
Skill 5: Self-help
- Tells someone when they need the toilet (day time)
- Eats with a spoon and drinks from a cup
- Tries to open a tiffin box or bottle
- Tries to put on or take off shoes and jacket
How to read your score
- Most boxes ticked: your child is well on the way to being school-ready.
- A few boxes not ticked: practise them at home daily for 4–6 weeks using the tips below.
- Many boxes not ticked, especially in Skills 1, 2 or 3: book a developmental check-up.
How to build these skills at home
- Play “name and look”: call the name, wait, and celebrate when your child turns.
- Daily instruction games: “Put the ball in the box”, then two steps.
- Create small needs: keep favourite items in sight but out of reach so your child has to ask.
- Table time: 5–10 minutes daily of colouring, puzzles or play dough at a table.
- Turn-taking games: roll a ball, build a tower together, say “my turn, your turn”.
- Let your child try: opening the tiffin, wearing shoes, washing hands.
- Cut screen time: face-to-face play builds these skills; screens don’t.
When to see a doctor
- Does not respond to name most of the time
- Speaks very few words, or no 2-word sentences by age 3
- Does not follow simple instructions
- Cannot sit for even 2–3 minutes, or runs off often
- Prefers to play alone and shows little interest in other children
- Has lost words or skills they had before
These can be early signs of speech delay, autism or ADHD. Early help makes a big difference to school readiness.
Book a consultation: Dr. Sumeet Dhawan | Call / WhatsApp: +91 82085 37763
This checklist is for general awareness only and is not a diagnosis. Please consult a qualified doctor for an assessment of your child.