Back-to-School Tune-Up Worksheet (Free PDF)

A two-week tune-up for after a long break, when skills have gone rusty rather than disappeared.

What’s inside

• An instructions page.
• 30-Second Checklist by Age: e.g. Age 3–4 — rhyming, clapping syllables, first letter sounds — with space to note rusty spots.
• 2-Week Tune-Up Tracker: a day-by-day list starting two weeks before term, beginning with a quick home assessment.

How to use it

1. Two weeks before school, run the quick checklist for your child's age.
2. Write down 2–3 rusty spots.
3. Follow the daily tracker, ticking each day.
4. Keep sessions short — the goal is warming up, not catching up.

Watch out for

• Rusty isn't the same as behind — skills usually come back within the two weeks.
• Testing on the first day of term adds pressure; run the checklist two weeks before.
• Focus on 2–3 rusty spots, not everything on the checklist.

Who it’s for

Parents of 3–8-year-olds before the new school year.

Where it fits: Stage 0 — Getting Ready

Goes well with

• Back-to-School Phonics Checklist: Is Your Child Ready?
• How to Assess Your Child's Phonics Level at Home (Free Checklist)