Preschool Readiness Skills Checklist (Free Printable)

The preschool years are a time of incredible growth for young children, full of curiosity, discovery, and learning through play.

Whether your child is getting ready for a preschool program, or homeschool preschool, this free printable preschool readiness checklist is the perfect tool to support a smooth transition into their next big adventure.

Preschool may not require a huge amount of academic mastery, but it’s an important time to develop emotional skills, language skills, social skills, and basic fine motor and gross motor skills that will set the stage for kindergarten and beyond.

This simple preschool readiness assessment gives you an easy way to check in on your child’s school readiness and see which key skills are blossoming and where they might benefit from more practice through hands-on activities.

What’s Included on the Preschool Checklist

This I Can… checklist is a gentle guide that helps you notice important areas of development and core skills that are common at the preschool level. Every child is unique and develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if they’re still working on a few!

Say My Name – Can your child clearly say their own name when asked?

Tell My Age – A fun language skill that shows awareness of self.

Play by Myself – Being comfortable playing alone builds independence.

Play with Others – A big step toward building healthy social-emotional development.

Share My Toys – A great way to practice empathy and social skills.

Take Turns – Important for group play and games.

Ask for Help – Encourages communication and problem-solving.

Use My Words – Helps children express their needs and feelings.

Listen – Supports language development and participation in routines.

Follow Directions – A foundational skill for both home and preschool environments.

Put on My Coat – Builds independence with dressing routines.

Take Off My Coat – Another life skill that supports self-care.

Put on My Shoes – Great for confidence and daily readiness.

Wash My Hands – Teaches hygiene and healthy habits.

Dry My Hands – Finishes the routine with independence.

Help Clean Up – Builds responsibility and teamwork.

Point to Things – Early language and identification skill.

Name Things I See – Boosts vocabulary and observation.

Scribble on Paper – A first step in fine motor development.

Draw a Line – Beginning to gain pencil control.

Stack Blocks Up – Great for motor skills and early physical science learning.

Do Simple Puzzles – Encourages critical thinking and patience.

Sort by Color – Early sorting builds math and visual skills.

Match Pictures – Boosts memory and early reading readiness.

Sing a Song – Enhances language, rhythm, and confidence.

Clap My Hands – Builds coordination and rhythm.

Pretend to Play – A wonderful way to explore imagination and social roles.

Look at Books – Introduces print awareness and a love for reading.

How to Use the Checklist

This free preschool readiness checklist isn’t a test, it’s a valuable tool to help guide your time with your child. You can use it to notice what they’re already doing and choose fun, supportive activities to explore the skills they’re still developing. It’s a great conversation starter during open house, kindergarten information night, or with your child’s teacher if they’re starting a preschool program or early childhood class.

Try going through it together during playtime or as part of your daily routine with no pressure, just observation and encouragement!

Download the Preschool Checklist

You can download your copy of the Preschool I Can… Checklist using the link below. The file also includes checklists for Kindergarten and First Grade, so you can choose the one that fits your child’s stage or take a sneak peek at what’s ahead!

If you’re not sure how to access your download, check out our step-by-step guide here:
👉 How to Download Our Printables

Let’s help our incoming preschoolers take their first steps with confidence, curiosity, and a sense of fun. Every skill they build now is laying the foundation for their future learning journey all the way to 1st grade, middle school, and beyond!