Skip to main content

Each year, RFS program staff review assessment data from children and families enrolled in our programs. Based on this data, we can:

home visitor works with parent and child to improve school readiness
  • identify school readiness concepts for which children, parents, and caregivers need additional support
  • develop lesson plans and coaching sessions that address areas needing improvement
  • measure progress toward school readiness for each of these concepts
  • provide more information to the community on what it means to be school ready and how to support children’s growth and development

Though measurement tools vary across RFS programs depending on the program model, the primary definition of readiness is described in the SC Early Learning Standards, with readiness development milestones that children should reach as they grow. The standards are grouped into six main areas of development, known as domains.

  • Approaches to Play and Learning (APL)
  • Emotional and Social Development (ESD)
  • Health and Physical Development (HPD)
  • Language Development and Communication (LDC)
  • Mathematical Thinking and Expression (MTE)
  • Cognitive Development (CD)

Within these domains are sub-domains and individual concepts, along with tips for parents and caregivers to support children’s learning. We choose one concept from the standards for each month and focus on it across all of our program areas and communications.

JANUARY | Children Communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. (Learning to Communicate, LDC-4)JULY | Children show curiosity and express interest in the world around them. (Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness, APL-1)
FEBRUARY | Children respond to and use a a growing vocabulary (Learning to Communicate, LDC-7)AUGUST | Children demonstrate creativity, imagination, and inventiveness. (Play and Imagination, APL-4)
MARCH | Children form relationships and interact positively with familiar adults who are consistent and responsive to their needs. (Developing a Sense of Self with Others, ESD-3)SEPTEMBER | Children develop the large muscle control and abilities needed to move through and explore their environment. (Motor Development, HPD-4)
APRIL | Children form relationships and interact positively with other children. (Developing a Sense of Self with Others, ESD-4)OCTOBER | Children develop book knowledge and print awareness. (Foundations for Reading, LDC-9)
MAY | Children recall information and use it for addressing new situations and problems. (Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning, CD-2)NOVEMBER | Children develop healthy eating habits. (Physical Health and Growth, HPD-1)
JUNE | Children use mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems in their environment. (Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning, MTE-6)DECEMBER | Children develop interest in books and motivation to read. (Foundations for Reading, LDC-8)
Download a version of this list to share