Important Milestones at 5 Years

For our last blog post highlighting the CDC’s information on developmental milestones, we are focusing on five years. Here’s a checklist from the CDC to keep track of your child’s growth and development. Whenever you have questions or concerns you have should discuss them with your child’s doctor. Here’s what most 5-year-olds can do at this age:

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL MILESTONES

  • Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with others

  • Sings, dances, and acts for you

  • Does simple chores, like matching socks or clearing the table after dinner

LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION MILESTONES

  • Tells stories with at least two events, such as: a cat was stuck in a tree, and then a firefighter saved it

  • After reading a story, they can answer simple questions about it

  • Continues conversations with more than three back-and-forth exchanges

  • Uses or recognizes simple rhymes, such as: bat-cat or ball-tall

COGNITIVE MILESTONES (LEARNING, THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING)

  • Counts up to 10

  • Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them

  • When discussing time, uses words like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”

  • Keeps attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities

  • Writes some letters in their name

  • Names some letters when pointed to

MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES

  • Buttons some buttons

  • Hops on one foot

  • Unbuttons some buttons

  • Holds a crayon or pencil between their fingers and thumb—not a fist

Remember, you know your child best. Talk with your child’s doctor about any of your concerns and ask about developmental screening.

Looking for tips and activities to do with your child to assist in their learning and development? Visit the CDC’s milestones pages here.

United Way of Central New YorkPreschoolers, School Age