Kindergarten readiness: What experts look for in young children.

New federal data shows about two-thirds of U.S. 3- to 5-year-olds are reported as on track for kindergarten, and experts say readiness covers early learning, motor skills, social-emotional development, self-regulation and health.

New federal data indicates roughly two-thirds of U.S. 3- to 5-year-olds are reported as on track to enter kindergarten. The finding comes from the National Survey of Children's Health, which asks parents and guardians about multiple areas of development. Experts describe kindergarten readiness as a mix of foundational skills needed for formal learning. Researchers and educators do not always agree on what should be measured or whether schools should adjust to children's needs. What the data and experts report: - The National Survey of Children's Health measures readiness across five categories: early learning, motor skills, social-emotional development, self-regulation and health. - About two-thirds of children aged 3 to 5 were reported as on track for kindergarten in the most recent federal data. - The readiness metric from the survey has been reported annually since 2022. - Many experts refer to the National Education Goals Panel's five developmental domains when describing readiness. - Some researchers note that historically expectations for kindergarten have changed and that children arrive with different levels of preparation. Summary: Early childhood learning and development can shape a child's school trajectory, and the federal survey offers a national snapshot of those skills. Undetermined at this time.