The Five Domains of School Readiness

The Five Domains of School Readiness, as defined by the National Educational Goals Panel, represent the framework for what children need to be ready for school and for life success. They are:

• Cognition and General Knowledge

• Language and Literacy Development

• Approaches to Learning

• Social and Emotional Development

• Physical Well-Being and Motor Development

Each of these domains are separate and distinct, but strength in one domain will strengthen the rest, while weakness in one area may weaken the others. To illustrate this concept, think of how each of your fingers are separate and distinct, but they are all connected to your hand, so they do work together. To help all of us remember the Five Domains of School Readiness, we have put them in an order where the first letter of each domain spells CLASP. The word ‘clasp” is defined as “a strong hold”. When you have a “strong hold” on what the Five Domains of School Readiness are, you can readily see all of the things that you are doing and can do to prepare your child for school.