Reviewer Info: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice in Autism Treatment and Research, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 05/03/2008
Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 5-year-old children.
Alternative Names
Normal childhood growth milestones - 5 years; Childhood growth milestones - 5 years; Growth milestones for children - 5 years
Information
Physical and motor skills milestones for a 5-year-old child may include:
Erupting the first permanent teeth (the majority of children do not get their first permanent teeth until age 6)
Developing increased coordination
Skipping, jumping, and hopping with good balance
Maintaining balance while standing on one foot with eyes closed
Tying own shoelaces
Showing increased skill with simple tools and writing utensils
Can copy a triangle
Spreads with a knife
Sensory and cognitive milestones:
Increasing vocabulary to over 2100 words
Composing sentences of six to eight words, and with all parts of speech
Identifying coins
Counting to 10
Properly naming the primary colors and possibly many more
Questioning more deeply, addressing meaning and purpose
Responding to "why" questions
Behaving more responsibly and apologizing for mistakes
Decreasing aggressive behavior
Outgrowing earlier childhood fears
Accepting the validity of other points of view (while possibly not understanding them)
Demonstrating increased mathematical skill
Questioning others, including parents
Strongly identifying with the parent of the same sex
Has a group of friends
Engagin in imaginative play (for example, a trip to the moon)
Ways to encourage a 5 year old's development may include:
Reading together
Providing the necessary space for physical activity
Instructing the child to participate in -- and learn the rules of -- sporting activities
Encouraging the child to play with other children, which helps develop social skills
Playing creatively with the child
Monitoring both the time and content of television viewing
Visiting local areas of interest
Encourage the child to take responsibility for small household chores such as helping set the table
Have the child pick up his or her toys after playing
References
Feigelman S. The Preschool Years. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: Chap. 10.
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