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5-Year Child Developmental Milestones

No two children develop, grow and learn in the same way or at the same pace. However, children do develop in certain predictable ways. Listed below are common developmental milestones for 5-year-olds.

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Watch this video to see milestones and stages of development for 5-year-olds and get ideas on how you can support a child’s healthy development.

moving icon Moving - Physical or Motor Development

  • Hops and may be able to skip.
  • Does somersaults.
  • Uses a fork and spoon, and sometimes a table knife.
  • Stands on one foot for at least 10 seconds.
  • Uses the toilet independently.
  • Swings and climbs.

talking icon Talking - Communication and Language Development

  • Speaks very clearly, using sentences of five or more words.
  • Tells a story in complete sentences.
  • Uses future tense, such as “I will be there.”
  • Says name and address.

interacting icon Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

  • Wants to please friends.
  • Wants to be like friends.
  • Agrees to rules more easily.
  • Likes to sing, dance and act.
  • Knows the difference between fantasy and reality.
  • Knows who is a boy or girl.
  • Expresses likes and dislikes.
  • Shows increasing independence.
  • Seeks new experiences.
  • Demonstrates both demanding and cooperative behaviors.

thinking icon Thinking - Cognitive Development

  • Counts 10 or more objects.
  • Names at least four colors correctly.
  • Understands items used every day such as food or money.
  • Draws a person with at least six body parts.
  • Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes.
  • Understands the concept of time.
  • Prints some letters and numbers.
  • Recognizes own printed name and may be able to write name.

Resources

Help Me Grow has a variety of resources that can help you support the healthy development of a 5-year-old. Learn more about Infant and Toddler Intervention and Preschool Special Education services and discover other resources available to you.

Encouraging Healthy Development for a 5-Year-Old

Ideas that can help you support the development of a 5-year-old.

Help Me Grow Articles

Articles that help you support the healthy development of a child.

Resources Directory

A directory of services provided for families of children with disabilities.

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If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, do not hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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