6 Years

Milestones

Around 6 years old, many children:

• Social

  • Begin to separate from caregiver without a lot of stress
  • Are more willing to spend time with peers
  • Begin to develop close relationships with one or more friends
  • Spend time in organized social settings, like school or sports

• Communication

  • Are able to speak and understand spoken language well
  • Repeat songs, stories, and poems from memory
  • Have many chances to speak to friends and adults in English and their native language if they have one

• Learning

  • Count, add, subtract, and explore shapes
  • Understand that digits stand for number names, for example "5" for "five"
  • Have a basic understanding of the alphabet, letters, and letter-sound relationships

• Physical Development

  • Get better at moving quickly, easily, and with more coordination
  • Area able to write and connect the movement between hands and eyes

• Health

  • Have 5 to 6 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 2 to 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily (such as ½ cup baby carrots, ½ cup broccoli, ½ avocado, and ½ cup sliced peppers).
  • Have 1 ½ to 2 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 to 5 ½ 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 at or between meals for thirst.

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

• Act Early

  • Has a stutter (often repeats sounds or gets stuck when talking) or lisp (can't say certain sounds, such as "s")
  • Confuses "left" and "right" more than peers
  • Has trouble following directions
  • Has trouble sitting still for long periods
  • Doesn't make a lot of eye contact
  • Avoids social situations, even in familiar places
  • Has trouble making friends
  • Is aggressive with other children
  • Can't skip, hop, or jump
  • Can't throw and catch a small ball