You've been looking forward to (and dreading) this day since the moment your child was born. Kindergarten. It's the first step in a long staircase of educational milestones for your child. But, as much as you and your child are excited for kindergarten to start, it's easy to wonder: Is your child ready?

With young children, it's hard to tell. Of course, you can ask your child's preschool teacher. But what if your child isn't in preschool? The following signs can help you determine if your child is ready for the rigors of kindergarten.

Cutoff ages

Most schools have a cutoff age for kindergarten based on the child's birth date. In many cases, that cutoff date is September 1, which means if your child has turned 5 by then, in theory, they should be ready for kindergarten. You should call your child's school or school district to see if certain cutoff ages will limit your child's participation in kindergarten. Keep in mind, however, that just because your child is the right age doesn't mean they're automatically ready for school.

Readiness signs

Each child is different. With some children, it's easy to tell when they're ready for school. Fortunately, your child doesn't need to check off every one of these readiness signs with confidence. As long as your child is checking off most of the boxes listed below, they should be ready. However, if your child isn't meeting most of these readiness signs, you may want to speak with your child's school and discuss your options with them. Most children will be strong in some areas and weak in others. That's a normal part of development. With this in mind, your child is probably ready for kindergarten if:

• They're self-sufficient. Meaning they can use the restroom on their own, tie their own shoes, put on their coat, etc.
• They know numbers 1-10.
• They can follow basic instructions.
• They can recognize some of the letters in the alphabet. They don't need to be reading to excel in kindergarten.
• They've begun writing numbers and/or letters.
• They get along with others and work fairly well in a group.
• They can control their emotions. This doesn't mean your five-year-old needs to have complete control of their emotions at all times. All kids throw a tantrum from time to time, but they need to understand their emotions and have coping mechanisms in place.
• They're interested in learning. Do they want try to "read" a book by retelling the story in their own words? That's good.
• They're developing fine motor skills, like holding a pencil or using scissors. These fine motor skills will be needed as your child begins writing the alphabet.
• They can write or recognize the letters in their name.

If you're having a hard time deciding if your child is ready for kindergarten, talk to their preschool teacher or someone else who's around your child on a daily basis. They may be able to give you insights about your child that you're not seeing. You can also talk to your child's future kindergarten teacher or family doctor about your concerns. Remember, your instincts as a parent are probably right.