How to Create a Checklist for Students in Preschool
The preschool years are developmentally dynamic. Creating a preschool checklist helps you identify where the young child is in terms of many factors. It functions equally well whether you're looking for kindergarten readiness, want to see if a child is on track or are interested in assessing a specific area of development such as social skills.
Before you start writing a checklist for your preschool student, understand what to expect and when. Note the milestones in each developmental area -- cognitive, physical, social and emotional. For example, 3- to 4-year-olds should have the ability to go up and down stairs by themselves, throw a ball overhand, draw basic shapes, speak using sentences that are up to seven words long, name colors, understand the idea of same and different, follow a three-step command, cooperate with others and engage in pretend play, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Identify the specific milestones that will work with the age of your child or student.
Checklists can measure almost anything, so identify the goal for the checklist you're creating. For example, use a checklist to see how your preschooler stacks up when it comes to her pre-academic skills, such as letter and number identification. Another option is a list that tackles general development, looking at how well your 4-year-old matches up to milestones specific to his age. Write out the specific goal, or goals, for your checklist. For example, your goal may look like, "Note whether the child meets the social and emotional development milestones for a 3-year-old."
Preschool assessments take into account the gains, or growth, that a child makes over time, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children in their position statement on curriculum, assessment and program evaluation. Instead of creating a checklist that covers what the child can do right now, write one that includes a snapshot of the entire preschool year. This will include starting and end points, and allow you to note where the preschooler was versus where he is now. A checklist that covers a period or measurable length of time may need to include multiple milestones for the same developmental area, taking into account the difference between a newly-turned 4-year-old and an almost 5-year-old.
Choose Your View
Decide when and where you're going to use the checklist. Doing so will guide what you choose to include and how you plan to implement it. A realistic setting is necessary when rating or assessing a young child's development, according to NAEYC. Avoid setting up an out-of-the-ordinary situation just to use your checklist. Instead, opt for the child's typical home or school environment. Note the specific times of day and places where you plan to observe your child. For example, if you want to create a checklist that identifies your child's large motor development -- such as his ability to run or jump -- you might choose a mid-day outdoor play period.