Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

We provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults utilizing neuropsychological tests

Kindergarten Readiness Testing in Calabasas, CA

What is Kindergarten Readiness?

Are you wondering whether your child is ready to start kindergarten? A kindergarten readiness evaluation can help you better understand your child's current strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful before entering school.

Kindergarten readiness refers to the developmental skills that help a child successfully transition into a structured school environment. Every child develops at a different pace, but readiness generally includes several important areas:

Social and Emotional Skills

• Can your child play and work with others, share, and take turns?

• Can they manage emotions and cope with frustration with age-appropriate support?

• Can they separate from caregivers and participate in a structured activity?

• Can they follow directions and remain engaged in an activity for an age-appropriate period of time?

Language and Communication Skills

• Can your child understand and follow basic directions?

• Can they communicate their needs to adults?

• Can they engage in simple conversations, ask questions, and ask for help?

• Can they listen to and retell parts of a simple story?

Early Learning & Cognitive Skills

• Does your child understand basic concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letters?

• Can they engage in simple problem-solving activities?

• Can they attend to and complete age-appropriate learning tasks?

Fine Motor & Self-Care Skills

• Can your child hold a pencil or crayon and draw basic shapes?

• Can they use scissors and manipulate small objects?

• Can they wash their hands, use the restroom, open their lunchbox, and feed themselves with age-appropriate independence?

• Do they understand basic safety rules?

How Long Does Testing Take?

Kindergarten readiness testing typically includes approximately 2–3 hours of one-on-one testing. Testing may be completed in one appointment or divided into shorter sessions depending on your child's age, attention, and comfort level.

In addition to testing, we review relevant background information and questionnaires and take time to score, interpret, and integrate the results. With your permission, information from your child's preschool or other providers may also be considered when appropriate.

A feedback appointment is generally scheduled approximately 2–3 weeks after testing is completed to discuss your child's strengths, areas of need, and recommendations.

What Is Included In Each Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After the initial consultation, a developmental and educational history will be gathered to better understand your child's strengths, needs, and readiness for kindergarten. Parent questionnaires and information from preschool teachers or other providers may also be considered when appropriate and with your permission.

Record Review: Relevant developmental, educational, psychological, or previous testing records will be reviewed when available.

Observation: Your child's behavior, attention, communication, social interaction, and approach to tasks will be observed throughout the evaluation. Preschool observations will be conducted if appropriate.

One-on-One Testing: Your child will meet individually with Dr. Salanga for age-appropriate activities that may include questions, puzzles, pictures, drawing, and early learning tasks.

Testing may examine:

• Cognitive and developmental skills, including understanding basic concepts and problem-solving

• Early academic readiness, such as knowledge of colors, shapes, numbers, and letters

• Attention and ability to engage in age-appropriate tasks

• Fine motor and visual-motor skills, such as holding a pencil and copying shapes

• Language and communication skills

• Social, emotional, and behavioral functioning

Evaluation and Interpretation: After testing is complete, Dr. Salanga will score, interpret, and integrate the information into a written report. The report will describe your child's developmental and learning strengths, areas where additional support may be helpful, test results and interpretations, and individualized recommendations for kindergarten and home.

Report and Feedback Discussion: After the evaluation and report are completed, Dr. Salanga will meet with the parent(s) to review the findings, discuss the child's strengths and areas of need, provide recommendations, and answer questions. With permission, findings may also be shared with your child's school or other professionals when appropriate. A copy of the final report will be provided after the feedback appointment.