Important Milestones at 5 Years
For our last blog post highlighting the CDC’s information on developmental milestones, we are focusing on five years. Here’s a checklist from the CDC to keep track of your child’s growth and development. Whenever you have questions or concerns you have should discuss them with your child’s doctor. Here’s what most 5-year-olds can do at this age:
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL MILESTONES
Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with others
Sings, dances, and acts for you
Does simple chores, like matching socks or clearing the table after dinner
LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION MILESTONES
Tells stories with at least two events, such as: a cat was stuck in a tree, and then a firefighter saved it
After reading a story, they can answer simple questions about it
Continues conversations with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes, such as: bat-cat or ball-tall
COGNITIVE MILESTONES (LEARNING, THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING)
Counts up to 10
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
When discussing time, uses words like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
Keeps attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities
Writes some letters in their name
Names some letters when pointed to
MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
Buttons some buttons
Hops on one foot
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds a crayon or pencil between their fingers and thumb—not a fist
Remember, you know your child best. Talk with your child’s doctor about any of your concerns and ask about developmental screening.
Looking for tips and activities to do with your child to assist in their learning and development? Visit the CDC’s milestones pages here.