At ages 5-6, children gain confidence in physical skills, cognitive abilities, and communication. Support their growth with outdoor play, visual routines, and positive storytelling to nurture their independence.
Motor Development:
Most 5 and 6-year-olds:
- Can hop and stand on one foot for tenor more seconds
- Can somersault, swing, skip, and climb
- Have a mature pencil grip ("dynamictripod grasp")
- Can print some letters and copy a fewsimple shapes, like squares andtriangles
- Are able to tie a knot
- Can dress and undress with minimal or no help
What to Try:
- Try supporting your child's autonomy by adding visuals to everyday routines.
- For example, put what they need for their morning routine into a container (a basket, anything!). When they're done, they move each item to a second container. They know they're done when everything is in the second container.
- Play outside! Outdoor time is linkedto cognitive and self regulatoryskills. It also has psychological benefits for you, helping you be more sensitive and responsive to your child.
Reminder: You know your child best. If you notice that your child has lost any skills that they once had, or you have other concerns, don’t hesitate to speak with us as well as your child’s healthcare provider.
Cognitive Development:
Most 5 and 6-year-olds:
- Can count ten or more things
- Can name four or more colors
- Have a stronger understanding of theconcept of time
- Know the uses of everyday things athome (money, appliances, etc.)
- Follow simple directions
- Are able to listen and pay attention
Social & Communication Development:
Most 5 and 6-year-olds are:
- More eager to please others and have a stronger desire to be similar to their friends
- More willing to agree to rules
- More and more independent
- Able to distinguish between fantasy and reality
- Better able to self regulate bigemotions
- Able to tell simple stories in complete sentences using correct grammar (pronouns, tenses)
What to Try:
- Model positive self-talk:
- “I can do this!" or "Chloe, you've got this" (speaking inthe 3rd person can be more effective for kids)
- "This is not easy, but I'msticking with it. What if I try..."
- Encourage your child to tell you stories. Whether they're real or imagined stories, storytelling is an important early literacy skill. Try asking them open-ended questions about their day. Instead of "howwas your day?" or "did you have fun?", you can try:
- A high/low conversation starter (the high is something happy and the low is something challenging).
- Asking them to rate their day from 1 to 10. This takes some ofthe pressure off of the question.
- If your child loves pretend play, encourage them to tell you about what's happening in their imaginary world.
- Encourage your child to contributeto everyday household tasks.Frame these as things that you doas family, rather than as choresassigned to them. This helps them see that every family needs to work together to keep things running.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, & Bright Futures