May 21, 2010, Newsletter Issue #205: Your Child at Five Years Old

Tip of the Week

 


This is a brief summary of what to expect for a five-year-old's development. If you have any specific concerns or questions, you should address those with your child's pediatrician.


Physical Development


assists with making own bed
colors within the lines
ties own shoes
jumps rope



Social Development

is aware of gender
separates fantasy from reality
comforts friends and others when they are sad
understands there are rules when playing games
expresses feelings
wants to please friends
wants to be like friends
agrees to rules
likes to sing, dance, and act
shows more independence



Cognitive Development

uses past, present, and future tenses correctly
groups similar objects together
understands the idea of today, tomorrow, and yesterday
identifies most letters and numbers
retells a story from a picture book



Sleep
Five year olds still need lots of sleep and many will still take a nap. During the school year, bedtime should be strictly enforced to ensure your child gets enough sleep, usually no later than 8pm.


Nutrition
Keep children healthy by encouraging them to eat a variety of foods, get regular exercise, and choose a diet with plenty of grains, vegetables, fruits, and vitamins to meet their growing body's requirements.

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