Five Year Old Child-Ages And Stages

The five-year-old is surer of himself and is generally dependable. He has learned to do what is expected of him. You can usually reason with him, and he will understand why you want something done a certain way. A five-year-old may still have some difficulty using small muscles, but can usually print his name and a few other words.

He is much more reliable and independent than at age four and less apt to get distracted en route to the garbage can. He loves stories, learns best by repetition and loves group projects. A five-year-old is usually friendly, sympathetic, affectionate, and helpful, but when he doesn't get his own way he can become quarrelsome. It is very motivating for him to receive new privileges, which show he is "bigger" and "older."

Task Expectationsnn * Make his bed (comforters work best)n * Clean and trim his finge
ailsn * Wipe up spillsn * Pick up trash in the yardn * Spot clean the wallsn * Shake area rugsn * Wipe off furniture, fingerprints from walls, etcn * Feed and water the petsn * Know his address and phone numbe
* Dial 911 in an emergencyn * Service projects like helping pick up trash in the park

Physical Developmentnn * Moving, moving, all the time They are very good at physical activities, like running, climbing, siding, balancingn * They have usually developed right or left hand preferencesn * They can bathe themselves, but may not get really clean or be able to do hair shampooingn * The rate of growth is starting to slow down and they do not have the appetite they had when they were younge
* Starting to lose their baby teethn * Hate to rest and yet tire easily. May have meltdowns and need time alone.

Mental Developmentnn * They talk ...a lot! You may have a hard time getting a word in edgewisen * Have a great memory and can say their full names, addresses, and birthday.n * It is more apparent to them when something is really true or they just wish it were truen * They can count by using their fingersn * They enjoy matching size, color, shape and what goes with whatn * Nature is the greatest classroom for this agen * May have bad dreams and nightmares or irrational fears

Social Developmentnn * They love to dress up and play in groupsn * They can get along with peers better than siblingsn * Enjoy doing art projects

Emotional Developmentnn * They don't have the temper tantrums, but may "dig their heels in"n * Usually very close to their mother and want to please he
* May be impulsive and take things that belong to othersn * When they are tense or stressed, they may pick their noses, bite their nails or blink their eyesn * They may cry or scream when frustrated

Five year olds are starting to pull away and become their own person. If you want to get them to do something they don't want to do, make it into a game. They love praise and encouragement, but then don't we all?

If you would like to learn more about how to use encouragement for positive action, allow me to give you a free eBook on verbal and nonverbal communication. Just go to http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com You will be glad you did and so will your child.nn