Key Facts

• 63.6% of 3 to 5 year old children are on track in 4-5 domains without needing support in any domain. [Source]
• 9.0% or 1 million children needed support in 2 or more domains. More than 1 in 10 children needed support for early learning skills (10.4%) and self-regulation (10.6%). [Source]
• Domains Measured: Early Learning Skills, Social-Emotional Development, Self-Regulation, Motor Development, and Health. [Source]

Questions Answered

1. What is School Readiness?
2. Why is School Readiness Important?
3. How is School Readiness Measured?

 

What is School Readiness?

School readiness refers to the set of skills and abilities children need to succeed and thrive when they start school. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) 2022 brief, these skills and abilities include physical well-being, motor development, social and emotional development, general knowledge, language acquisition, and learning approaches (how a child learns new information). In simpler terms, a child who is “school ready” can handle the basic physical, social, and cognitive tasks expected in a classroom—from holding a pencil and writing their name to getting along with peers and following directions.

Why is School Readiness Important?

For more than 30 years, experts in child development have recognized the significance of school readiness as a key indicator of children’s health and future success. The 2022 NSCH data brief highlights several reasons why it matters:

• Early Academic Success: Children who start kindergarten healthy and ready to learn are more likely to meet important early academic milestones.
• Long-Term Benefits: Early academic success has been linked to better social, economic, and health outcomes later in life.
• National Priority: The importance of school readiness is underscored by its inclusion as a Healthy People 2030 objective, a National Academies of Science Pediatric Vital Sign, and a National Outcome Measure for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program.

How is School Readiness Measured?

The NSCH provides a comprehensive, nationwide look at how ready children are to start kindergarten, taking into account a variety of factors within the child’s family and community. Specifically:

1. Domains Assessed: Parents and caregivers answer 28 questions across five areas (domains)—Early Learning Skills, Social-Emotional Development, Self-Regulation, Motor Development, and Health.
2. Scoring Each Domain: Responses are scored as ‘On Track,’ ‘Emerging,’ or ‘Needs Support,’ reflecting whether a child meets age-appropriate expectations, is working toward them, or requires additional help.
3. Overall Measure: Children who are ‘On Track’ in at least four of the five domains (and don’t need support in any domain) are considered ‘On Track’ overall. Those needing support in two or more domains are classified as ‘Needs Support’ overall.
4. Current Findings: In 2022, about 63.6% of children ages 3-5 were ‘On Track’ across four or five domains, suggesting they entered kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Around 9% needed support in two or more domains.

These measures help policymakers, educators, clinicians, and families understand where support might be most needed. By identifying areas in which children are thriving or struggling, communities can tailor interventions and resources—particularly important in a child mental health treatment facility—to ensure every child has the best possible start in school and in life.