5 Year Old
Sensory and Thinking Skills:
· Thinking is still naïve; doesn’t use adult logic
· Distinguish right from wrong
· Play make-believe and dresses up
· Mimic adults and seek praise
· Seek to play rather than be alone; friends are important
· Play with boys and girls but prefers same sex
· Can count 10 or more objects
· Correctly name at least 4 colors
· Work in small groups for 5-10 minutes
· Know about things used every day in the home (money, food, etc.)
· Want to please
· More likely to agree to rules
· Like to sing, dance, and act
Motor/Self-Help Skills:
· Use fork and spoon independently
· Can chew with lips closed
· Go to the bathroom independently
· Undress independently, may be able to unbutton, unzip, and lace (but not tie) shoes
· Run in an adult manner
· Walk on tiptoe, broad jumps
· Walk on a balance beam
· Balance on 1-foot for 10 seconds or more
· Hop, somersault, swing, climb, jump rope
· May be able to skip
· Walk downstairs holding an object
· Hand preference is established
· Grasp pencil like an adult, print some letters
· Color within the lines
· Cut and paste simple shapes
· Copy a square and triangle
· Draw a person with body
Language and Social Skills:
· Use vocabulary of 5,000-8,000 words with little difficulty except /l/ and /th/
· Use fuller, more complex sentences of more than 5 words with a growing speech fluency
· Correctly use plurals, pronouns, tenses (including future tense)
· Very interested in words and language; seeks knowledge
· Understand and name opposites
· Use nonverbal gestures such as facial expressions to communicate
· Still confuse fantasy and reality at times
· Recall part of a story
Red Flags:
· Exhibits extremely aggressive, fearful, or timid behavior; is unable to separate from parents
· Is easily distracted and unable to concentrate on ANY single activity for more than 5 minutes
· Shows little interest in playing with other kids
· Refuses to respond to people in general
· Rarely uses fantasy or imitation in play; can’t differentiate between fantasy and reality
· Seems unhappy or sad much of the day
· Does not express a wide range of emotions
· Has trouble eating, sleeping, or using the toilet
· Cannot understand prepositions (“on” “under”)
· Cannot follow 2-part commands (“pick up the toy and put it on the shelf”)
· Cannot give first and last name
· Does not use plurals or past tense
· Cannot build a tower of 6-8 blocks
· Holds crayon with fisted grasp
· Has trouble taking off clothing
· Unable to brush teeth or wash and dry hands