The Average Five Year Old is Like This
Physical and Motor Growth:
Hops and skips. Handles sled and trike well.
Cuts, pastes, and draws pictures
Can handle tools that are geared to his size.
Dresses and undresses himself.
Needs rest periods.
Permanent teeth start to come in.
Needs lot of activity – ladders, jump rope, swings, balls, etc.
Emotional Growth
Likes to do things “right.” Obeys rules
Is pleasant and cheerful with adults
Thrives on praise
Seems to need supervision and direction
May still have fear of wild animals or the dark. Has fewer fears than four year old.
Shows tension by thumbsucking, throat clearing, eye blinking.
Intellectual Growth
Is proud of his belongings and clothes
Can learn full name, address, and telephone number
Starts to be a collector of papers and school things
Can do simple household things – help wash dishes, feeds the dog, etc.
Knows when he does not know the answer to things
Can count to 10. Can name colors correctly. Can print a few letters
Social Growth:
With Grown ups:
Likes to help either parent
Imitates parents
Enjoys talking to adults
With other children:
Is not a good group member
Goes overboard about rules
Is a tattle tale
Hits and pushes
Needs adults supervision
Looking Ahead
You may have noticed by now that each stage of development has an “up and a “down.” When your child is about 5 ½, his cheerful dependable behavior may begin to break up, much as it did between the ages of 3 and 4. The five year old likes to do things YOUR way, but the six year old likes to do things HIS way! He especially disagrees with his mother. If your loving five year old suddenly decides that everything you do is wrong – be patient. He’s just going on to another stage of growth
Cooperative Extension, New York State. Farm and Home Center, Home Economics Division, Canandaigua, NY, 14424.
