Kindergarten Readiness: What Families Need to Know
In Missouri, the age requirements for starting school depend on the type of school your child will attend:
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Public Schools: By state law, children must turn 5 on or before July 31st to be eligible for kindergarten. If your child meets this age requirement, they have a right to enroll.
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Private Schools: Private institutions are not bound by the state’s July 31st cutoff. They have the authority to set their own age deadlines and may have their own unique admissions processes or entry requirements.
The skills listed below are not requirements for enrollment, and schools should not suggest delaying your child’s start date based on these milestones. Instead, think of this list as a collaborative roadmap. These are areas families can play with and practice over the summer to help their child feel confident and hit the ground running on day one!
Enter your address on our Find My School District map to locate your assigned school district and enroll today!
If you live in the Kansas City Missouri Public School District boundary or “Kansas Ciy 33” you have many school options. Visit our School Search page to view and filter all of your options.
- Recognizes at least 10 letters of the alphabet (can point to a letter when presented out of sequence)
- Writes a few letters of their name and recognizes their name in print
- Uses direction and position words when speaking (up, down, near, and by)
- Notices familiar words and signs (STOP sign, grocery store, logos)
- Says whether or not two words rhyme
- Shows interest in books and being read to
- Speaks in full sentences
- Answers who, what, when, where and how questions (“Where are your shoes?”, “What did you draw?”)
- Follows 2 step directions (“Please put on your jacket and go stand by the door.”)
- Counts 10 or more objects
- Recognizes primary shapes (can point to a circle, triangle, square, and rectangle)
- Is curious and motivated to learn (tries new activities and asks questions)
- Recognizes basic colors (can point to red, green, orange, blue, black, purple, brown, yellow)
- Matches and sorts objects by shape, size, or color (can put all blue toys in a pile)
- Uses pencils, crayons, and markers for drawing
- Cuts with scissors (can cut a paper in half)
- Runs, jumps, hops, throws, and kicks
- Uses the bathroom on their own
- Knows their first and last name and age
- Follows basic safety rules
- Plays cooperatively with other children (takes turns and resolves problems)
- Uses words to express feelings, “I feel angry”, “I feel happy”
- Expresses feelings and ideas in a variety of ways (drawing, pretend play, music, etc.)
- Regulates emotions and behavior (can calm down, can be patient, can adjust to new situations)
- Expresses empathy or caring for others (comforts a friend who is crying)
- Is active for an hour or more every day (running, playing with a ball, etc.)
- Gets about 10 hours of sleep every night
- Eats healthy food (like fruits and vegetables) and drinks water every day
- Goes to regular doctor appointments and is up-to-date on immunizations
- Has been to a dentist and brushes teeth every day
Kindergarten Readiness PDF