School Readiness (part 1)

With the new school year fast approaching, Prep Teachers were asked what skills children need to start school. I was provided with a list that allows parents and caregivers to check if their child's developmental milestones are on track. 


"Writing" by dotmatchbox is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

 If children are yet to acquire skills in several areas, they may need referral to an Occupational Therapist for further assessment, and advice on skills development.

Occupational Therapists assess development, especially school-related functional skills. Fine motor skills, visual perception and thinking skills are important for manipulating tools in the classroom, handwriting, and carrying out activities of daily living. 

Referral can be made through local doctor (Medicare funding). Early Childhood Teachers usually spot areas that require further development. It is helpful to bring education and health reports and background information for your visit. These are some of the expectations for school entry--Prep:

Fine Motor Skills (5-year old)

  • builds tower of at least 12 blocks
  • draws a recognisable person with lots of details
  • draws a circle, square, diagonal cross, and a triangle
  • Have good control of pencils and paint brushes using a static or dynamic tripod grasp (pencil held between thumb and index fingers, and sitting on middle finger)
  • Traces own name - or writes own name
  • Draws a house with doors, window, roof
  • Draws through thick mazes
  • Traces around own hand
  • Thread beads to a pattern
  • Cuts on curved line - beginning to cut circles neatly
  • Buttons clothing - do most undressing and dressing alone
  • Tucks clothes in
  • Undoes all fasteners e.g. zips, buttons, and buckles
  • Shows a preferred hand for drawing and writing.

Visual Perception

  • Copies block designs with six blocks or Lego pieces
  • Follows a sequence of three steps visually shown
  • Completes and creates simple patterns with blocks, magnetic shapes
  • Does puzzles of 16 plus pieces
  • Recalls 2 to 3 items seen

 Thinking Skills  

  • Understands working left to right
  • Identifies missing elements of a picture
  • Attends to task for 10 minutes without supervision
  • Remains on task for 5-10 minutes when distractions are present
  • Works in a small group for 10-25 minutes
  • Completes a task with little prompting
  • Recognises many letters and sounds of the letters
  • Identifies numerals 1 to 5
  • Counts to 20
  • Counts at least to six with 'one-to-one' correspondence (pointing to each item) 
  • Plays group games following rules
  • Creates own activities
  • Independently tries out new activities
  • Accepts an altered routine when requested
  • Knows their left and right sides
  • Returns objects or materials to their proper place
  • Quietens down after an active period and waits for instructions
  • Volunteers for tasks
  • Conforms to group decisions
  • Obeys rules
  • Carries out domestic and dramatic play alone or with playmates from day to day
  • Holds a book the right way, turns pages, uses picture to tell a story 

See also School Readiness Part 2  blog


Sandra Kirkwood, Occupational Therapist provides assessment of children's functional skills and school readiness.
Mobile: 0488 624 362
  • Read more at: https://wynnumoccupationaltherapy.blogspot.com
    Wynnum Manly Occupational Therapy

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