5 Years

Milestones

Around 5 years old, many children:

• Social

  • Want to make friends happy and be like them
  • Are more likely to agree with rules
  • Like to sing, dance, and act
  • Are aware of gender
  • Show more independence
  • Tell what's real and what's make-believe
  • Are sometimes tough and sometimes cooperative

• Communication

  • Speak very clearly
  • Tell a simple story using full sentences
  • Use the future tense, for example, "Grandma will be here"
  • Can say name and address

• Learning

  • Can count 10 or more things
  • Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
  • Can print some letters or numbers
  • Can copy a triangle and other simple shapes
  • Know about things used every day, like money and food

• Physical Development

  • Stand on one foot for 10 seconds
  • Can hop and may be able to skip
  • Can somersault, flipping all the way around forwards or backwards
  • Use a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife
  • Use the toilet on their own
  • Swing and climb

• Health

  • Have 5 ounces of grains daily, including whole grains (1 ounce equals ½ cup oatmeal, ½ cup of rice, 5 whole wheat crackers, 1 slice of whole wheat bread, or ½ cup cooked pasta).
  • Have 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily (such as ½ cup baby carrots, ½ cup broccoli, and ½ avocado).
  • Have 1 ½ cups of fruits daily (such as 1 small apple, ½ large banana, and ½ cup chopped berries). Fresh, frozen, canned or dried all count.
  • Have 4 ounces of protein foods daily (1 ounce equals 1 egg, ¼ cup of beans or lentils, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or ¼ cup tofu). Protein foods include beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, nut butters, and poultry, fish, eggs and meat.
  • Have 2 ½ cups of dairy or suitable substitute daily. This includes whole cow’s milk, whole plain yogurt, or unsweetened fortified soy beverage.
  • Drink water between meals for thirst.

Act early by talking to a doctor, teacher, or social worker if your child:

• Act Early

  • Doesn't show a wide range of emotions
  • Shows extreme behavior, such as unusual fear, aggressiveness, shyness, or sadness
  • Is easily distracted, having trouble focusing on an activity for more than 5 minutes
  • Doesn't respond to people or responds without thought or care
  • Can't tell what's real and what's make-believe
  • Can't give first and last name
  • Doesn't talk about daily activities or experiences
  • Doesn't draw pictures
  • Can't brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help