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Ideas for Care Givers Involve children in writing "thank-you" notes, holiday greeting cards, and letters. If a 5-year-old enjoys copying letters, let him dictate a short message to you and copy it from your writing. Old typewriters are favorite writing tools. Help children learn to make rules and play simple games by providing opportunities for them to play in small groups. Observe how a child plays with other children. Teach him to request, bargain, negotiate, and apologize. Take questions seriously. Talk to children about what happens and why. Give answers they can understand. Five-year-olds will show an increasing interest in numbers. Encourage them to count anything of interest such as: cups, leaves, drums, bells, or number of children c.2005 - 2008 |
| Child Development |
| An Overview of the 5 Year Old Child Your child is developing many new skills. Perhaps she can ride a trike, or even a tiny two-wheeler, with confidence. She can use scissors and other handy gadgets for her projects and crafts. She comes up with interesting questions about the world around her. And when your five-year-old asks why, it won't be an idle inquiry - she'll want to know the answer because her ability to understand and remember your explanations is growing in leaps and bounds. She also likes to be with you, helping out with little jobs, sharing jokes and stories. In a way, this is a special time for parents. A five-year-old focus is still firmly on her home and family - the allure and excitement of school, friends and outside activities are yet to come. Enjoy! Cognitive Development • understands about 13,000 words • has a rapidly expanding vocabulary • uses 5-8 words in a sentence • likes to argue and reason; use words like "because" • knows basic colors like red, yellow, blue, green, orange • able to memorize address and phone number • understands that stories have a beginning, middle, and end • able to remember stories and repeat them • enjoys creating and telling stories • understands that books are read from left to right, top to bottom • enjoys riddles and jokes • draws pictures that represent animals, people, and objects • enjoys tracing or copying letters • can place objects in order from shortest to tallest • can understand and use comparative terms like big, bigger, or biggest • sorts objects by size • identifies some letters of the alphabet and a few numbers (if taught) • understands "more," "less," and "same" • counts up to 10 objects • recognizes categories ("These are all animals; these are all toys.") • understands before and after, above, and below • block and dramatic play is much more elaborate and complex • has good attention span and can concentrate well • is project minded - plans buildings, play scenarios, and drawings • interested in cause and effect • can understand time concepts like yesterday, today, and tomorrow • Knows full name, address and age • Loves to learn • Can usually separate fact from fantasy Language Development Receptive Language : 4-5 years • Children in this age range enjoy stories and can answer simple questions about them. He or she hears and understands nearly everything that is said to them at home or at pre-school or day care. Your child's ability to hear properly all the time should not be in doubt. If you are in doubt about your child's hearing, see a clinical audiologist. If you are in doubt about language comprehension, see a speech-language pathologist. Expressive Language : 4-5 years • Your child speaks clearly and fluently in an easy-to-listen-to voice. He or she can construct long and detailed sentences ("We went to the zoo but we had to come home early because Josie wasn't feeling well"). He or she can tell a long and involved story sticking to the topic, and using "adult-like" grammar. Most sounds are pronounced correctly, though he or she may lisping as a four year old, or, at five, still have difficulty with "r", "v" and "th". Your child can communicate easily with familiar adults and with other children. They may tell fantastic "tall stories" and engage strangers in conversation when you are out together. Physical Development • weight: 31-57 pounds • height: 39-48 inches • requires approximately 1,700 calories daily • sleeps 10-11 hours at night • may begin to loose baby teeth and acquire secondary teeth • able to dress self with little assistance • learns to skip • throws ball overhead • catches bounced balls • rides a tricycle skillfully; may show interest in riding a bicycle with training wheels • balances on either foot for 5-10 seconds • uses a fork and knife well • cuts on a line with scissors • left or right hand dominance is established • walks down stairs, alternating feet without using a handrail • jumps over low objects • can run, gallop, hop and tumble • can skip and run on tiptoe • can jump rope • interested in performing tricks like standing on head, performing dance steps • capable of learning complex body coordination skills like swimming, ice or roller skating, and riding bicycles • may be able to tie shoelaces • may be able to copy simple designs and shapes • Has increased poise and coordination • Dresses and undresses with little assistance (can button and zip) • Ascends stairs with alternating feet Social/Emotional Development • invents games with simple rules • organizes other children and toys for pretend play • still confuses fantasy with reality sometimes • often fears loud noises, the dark, animals, and some people • can take turns and share, but doesn't always want to • expresses anger and jealousy physically • likes to test muscular strength and motor skills, but is not emotionally ready for competition • carries on conversations with other children and adults • often excludes other children in play - best friends only • uses swear words or "bathroom words" to get attention • sometimes can be very bossy • likes to try new things and take risks • likes to make own decisions • notices when another child is angry or sad - more sensitive to feelings of others • prefers company of one or two children at a time; may become bossy or sulky when others join in • likes to feel grown up; boasts about self to younger, less capable children • begins to have a very basic understanding of right and wrong • plays contentedly and independently without constant supervision • takes turns and shares (sometimes) • understands and respects rules - often asks permission • understands and enjoys both giving and receiving • enjoys collecting things • sometimes needs to get away and be alone • can understand relationships between people and similarities and differences in other families • seeks adult approval • sometimes critical of other children and embarrassed by own mistakes • less fearful of the world than toddlers because understands the world better • has a good sense of humor, and enjoys sharing jokes and laughter with adults |
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| Curriculum Resources Art Dramatic Play Prop Boxes Fine Motor Games Language Math Music Outdoor Play Quiet Time Recipes Science/Sensory Themes MY BOOK |
| Child Development Notes The 1 Year Old The 2 Year Old The 3 Year Old The 4 Year Old The 5 Year Old The 6 Year Old The 7 Year Old The 8 Year Old The 9 Year Old The Pre-Teen Child |
| The best things in life aren't things!
- Author unknown |