Worried about school readiness
School readiness isn't just about reading and writing. It's about whether your child is ready across ALL areas - independence, social skills, physical skills, literacy, and numeracy. The good news is that almost all school readiness gaps can be addressed with targeted home activities in the months before Grade 1.
What an OT looks for in this area
- •Fine and gross motor skills - pencil grip, cutting, balance, ball skills
- •Self-care independence - dressing, toileting, managing their own bag
- •Social readiness - "drop and go" separation, greeting adults, turn-taking
- •Literacy foundations - phonics sounds, name writing, following instructions
- •Emotional regulation - managing frustration, sitting for group activities
- •Sensory needs - whether sensory processing will interfere with classroom participation
Free home activity ideas
Daily dressing independence
Practise doing up buttons, zips, and tying shoelaces every morning. Make it part of the routine, not a test.
Name writing practice
Five minutes a day of name writing builds pencil control and letter formation. Start with tracing, then faded tracing, then independent writing.
Phonics games
I-spy with sounds (not letters): "I spy something beginning with /s/..." Play rhyming games. Sing alphabet songs with a focus on the sounds.
Social scripts
Practise: "Good morning, Mrs [teacher name]." "Can I help, please?" "It's my turn now." Role-play these at home.
Does this sound like your child?
Tick the statements that apply to your child right now:
Want a personalised home programme for your child?
These free activities are a starting point. For a programme built specifically for your child - reviewed by Carri and delivered with ongoing support - that's what the subscription is for.