School Readiness: What It Really Means (It’s More Than ABCs and 123s)

Published: 30 Apr 2025 Tagged: Childhood DevelopmentCommunication Skillsearly childhood educationEducationEmotionalSupportlanguage skillsParenting TipspreschoolerpreschoolersSchool PerformanceSchool ReadinesSocialSkillsSpeech Pathology AustraliaSupportingYourChildtransition

What School Readiness Is Not

It’s a common myth that if a child knows the alphabet, can write their name, or count to 20, they’re “ready for school.” While those skills are helpful, they don’t guarantee success in a classroom environment.

In fact, reading, writing, and maths are not even formal requirements before starting school — they are things your child will learn once they’re there.

What truly matters are foundational skills like:

• Expressing thoughts and needs
• Following directions
• Managing emotions
• Participating in group play

These are the tools that help children feel confident, safe, and ready to learn.

The 5 Pillars of Real School Readiness

1. Communication Skills

Can your child:

• Ask for help?
• Share their thoughts?
• Join a group conversation?

Strong communication lays the foundation for learning and friendship.

2. Social Play Skills

School is full of shared spaces — playgrounds, group activities, line-ups. Children who understand how to take turns, listen, and play cooperatively have a much easier time adjusting.

3. Following Instructions

Learning relies on being able to:

• Focus on the speaker
• Understand two-step directions (e.g., “Get your book and sit on the mat”)
• Follow classroom routines

4. Emotional Regulation

Every school day comes with highs and lows — and children need tools to manage those moments. Can your child:

• Recognise when they’re upset?
• Ask for help or take a calming break?
• Return to learning after a disruption?

These are powerful signs of emotional readiness.

5. Independence in Daily Routines

Teachers look for signs that a child can:

• Go to the toilet without help
• Open their lunchbox
• Pack up their belongings

These small tasks build confidence and reduce classroom stress.

How Can I Tell If My Child Is Ready? A Simple At-Home Check

It’s not always easy to know if your child is ready for school — especially when they seem happy and bright at home. But school is a different environment, with group routines, unfamiliar rules, and lots of new expectations.

Here are a few simple ways parents can check school readiness at home:

✔️ 1. Play “School” at Home

Set up a short pretend-play scenario:

• Sit in a circle with toys.
• Give simple instructions like “Put your toy on the shelf and come sit on the mat.”
• Watch how your child listens, follows directions, and handles transitions.

Does your child stay engaged? Do they follow instructions without stress?

➡️ 2. Observe Peer Interactions

Next time you're at the park or a playdate:

• Does your child take turns?
• Can they start a conversation or ask to join in a game?
• How do they react when something doesn't go their way?

These moments reveal a lot about emotional and social readiness.

❗3. The “5-Minute Task” Test

Ask your child to:

• Get their bag
• Pack a snack
• Choose a book and sit down

If they get easily frustrated or distracted, this might be an area to support.

❤️ 4. Talk About Emotions

Use storybooks or cartoons to ask:

• “How do you think that character felt?”
• “What would you do if that happened to you?”

This builds emotional vocabulary and regulation — key classroom skills.

How Parents Can Support at Home

Supporting your child does not require flashcards. Here are some simple ways to help at home:

• Playing games that involve turn-taking and instructions
• Talking about emotions (“You look frustrated. Want a hug or a break?”)
• Encouraging independence in dressing, eating, and packing bags
• Reading books together and asking open-ended questions

Simple, everyday interactions build powerful school-ready skills.

When to Ask for Help

If you're noticing that your child struggles with more than one of these areas, it doesn't mean they're not ready — but it might be helpful to talk to a professional.

At Speakable, our team of speech pathologists helps children build the skills they need to thrive at school and beyond — all in a warm, play-based environment.

Final Thoughts

School readiness isn't about perfection — it's about progress.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready, or want to strengthen certain areas, know that support is available.

Want to chat with a professional?
Contact our friendly team today and take the next step with confidence.