Ages & Stages
5-Year-Olds

Five-year-olds have developed so many skills. It's amazing to think about all they have learned since they were infants! They are expert users of language. They can tell detailed stories about real and imagined events. Five-year-olds are creative, fun, and eager to learn and please. They need adults to encourage and support their interests and activities.

What's It Like To Be 5 Years Old?

• I'm really good at running, skipping, galloping, and other physical activities.
• I can learn to tie my shoes.
• I can comb my hair and wash myself.
• I can copy letters and numbers and write my name.
• I can draw a picture that tells a simple story.
• I enjoy counting and sorting objects.
• I like to be read to and then retell the story in my own way.

What Your 5-Year-Old Wants You To Know:

I like it when you play simple games with me.

Please read to me and encourage me to tell stories, too.

I like to be helpful. Please give me a chance to help at home in tasks that I can do well.

Please help me notice the positive things about my efforts.

I learn about what is right and wrong from watching what you do.

I want to be good and please you. If you ask me to do things in a positive way, it's easier for me to obey.

Even though I am very independent, I still need your affection and encouragement.

You are my favorite teacher. I count on you to teach me the important things in life.

Every child is different. If you watch me closely, you will get clues about why I do what I do and how to help me grow.

How Do 5-Year-Olds...?

• They are starting to understand the idea of past, present, and future.
• They have a much longer attention span than younger children.
• They can identify letters and sounds.
• They can tell a story in the correct order.
• They can remember their full name, address, phone number, and birthday.

Grow Socially And Emotionally

• They like to feel part of a group.
• They enjoy pretend play.
• They feel pride in their accomplishments.
• They can express a wide range of feelings.
• They are starting to be able to interpret the feelings of others.

How Do Children Learn?

Children learn...

• by doing
• through movement
• by being noticed and encouraged
• through their senses
• by making things
• through language and stories
• by playing with other children
• through imitation
• through pretend play

All children grow, learn, and develop at different rates. The information in this brochure is considered typical for this age. If we do all we can to help children develop now, they will have the best chance to do well in school and in life. This brochure was developed by the Child Care Resource Center and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

HE-730-I Reprinted Sept 2008. Ellen Abell, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University. Originally prepared with H. Wallace Goddard, former Extension Family and Child Development Specialist.

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.