Developmental Milestones for a 5 Years Old

Physical Development
The continuity of learning new skills and improving still better on the developing ones, remains an ongoing process for a growing child. A 5 yr old child who is full of energy displays his strength and capabilities in his own unique way. He likes jumping from the chair to the floor and trying to balance himself on the wooden edges of the sofa. It rather becomes a play and fun activity for him, which he does repeatedly even after being scolded. Hops around, displays a good balance on one foot may be for even more than ten seconds. Some 5 years old children may also learn to skip rope, begin to skate and even take up to swimming. He doesn’t struggles with his shoe laces anymore, makes dance like body movements on hearing his favourite jingle and musical tones. His budding intellect and increasing concentration span helps him carry out one or two simple activities to its completion. For e.g. colouring a circle, then taking up cutting and pasting a simple picture. He even gets better in copying more different geometrical shapes, other than circle or a triangle.
Social, Emotional and Intellectual Development
Your 5 yr old child would want to be in the company of children of the same age group rather than play by himself alone. As he seeks more preference for one or two children in the group, he would give them more importance and would often stick to their company. The concept of having ‘ best friends’ doesn’t sets in completely, but it is just that they feel more comfortable with few children as compared to others. He may boss over his chums, would like to have some simple set rules for his games. Most 5 yr old children bond with both the sexes but prefer playing with the same gender group. They also don’t seem to completely evolve out of their fantasy world.
Many five year olds become vary of darkness and concept of monsters. Some may particularly develop fear of loud noises and animals like dogs. Their growing intellectual skill does make them distinguish between a right and a wrong doing. This, especially when they have been already explained by their parents. But they are yet not able to form a deep rooted understanding for the same, which however gets resolved as they age further. A 5 year old child also does not experience the same surge of strong emotions, possessiveness and frustration, as when he was about three years old. He has gained control over his aggressive behaviour.
You would often find your child getting more inquisitive in learning and grasping new words and phrases. At times, may bombard you with too many questions or argue in the course of wanting to know something in detail. With an increasing vocabulary of around 12,000 to 13,000 words, weaves more complex sentences. He begins to understand ‘rhyming’ in a given sentence. On being taught, can name few simple opposites. May or may not understand the concepts of time.
Answers promptly on being asked his parents’ name. Recalls more than five to six names of colours and count ten to twelve or even more numbers. Shows fondness for coins and would often want to keep it safely in a baby handbag or play with them. Many children of around this age would be able to point to body parts correctly, when taught. Many children begin to show better understanding of their behaviour and sensitivity towards others. If taught and prompted, would say words like ‘thanks’ and ‘sorry’. Some children may also learn to greet elders in their native language. But this gesture again requires little prompting and prodding from the parents’ end.
Promoting Developmental Milestones
Look out for ways that can help nurture your child’s abilities through activities that he enjoys. It may necessarily not always be a mundane routine of sitting everyday with a number book, learning to pick up more numbers. You can always involve daily activities as a medium to teach new things. For e.g. counting can also be learned by showing and letting your child tell on his own, how many cupcakes you have made for the day. To begin with at this age, simple arithmetic skills like addition and subtraction can be taught with the help of objects rather than numerals.
Children at around this age also like to remain glued to their favourite cartoon channels. It’s important to keep a vigil on what they view and for how long they enjoy this TV time. Making them play with other children, assist you do a simple household task or putting back his own set of toys, folding a simple pair of their clothing should be encouraged. It’s also important to teach your child the different aspects of safety, when they venture out to play. Stay wise and alert by being there and around, keeping a tab on their activities. A child around this age should be made to understand the dangers of running after a stray ball or climbing that broken play equipment in the park. Make him aware of what kind of behaviour he needs to adhere to, while talking to a stranger.