Your 5-year-old has a big and exciting year ahead — it’s the year when kindergarten begins! Experts consider this year to be a transitional year as children begin attending school and adjusting to the new routines and expectations. Kindergarten is a huge step in child development stages. How can you help prepare your child for this eventful moment
Parents can encourage development and prepare their child for kindergarten by encouraging a love of learning, says Megan Wilson, a former kindergarten teacher and the current after-school specialist at 4C for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio. “It’s really about children being eager to learn, not so much what they know,” she says.
Chip Wood, author of “Yardsticks,” a book about the development of school-age children, says parents need to be exceptionally patient with their children during the transition to kindergarten. They should recognize that oppositional behavior and signs of regression, such as temper tantrums or sloppy writing, are due to continuing eye and brain development and are a reaction to high expectations at school. “You’ll hear from your teacher that they’re a perfect darling at school, but at home they are throwing temper tantrums,” he says. “Parents have to recognize that they’re under a lot of pressure at school to follow the rules and be good, so they hold it together at school, but at home, you’ll see that they’re tired, both physically and emotionally.”
They might be going through lots of change and need extra understanding, but that doesn’t mean you should let them run wild at home. Wood suggests spending one-on-one time with your 5-year-old, even if it’s just taking the dog for a walk around the block after dinner. And don’t forget the importance of reading together daily to help you both reconnect and unwind with good stories and snuggles.
“Keep play alive too,” Wood says. “Once they hit kindergarten, children really don’t have much play in school anymore. Give them a chance for lots of imaginative play at home — keep them away from electronics and TV. The more they invent play, the stronger the mind they’re going to build.”
According to MedlinePlus, the development milestones that you can expect your child to reach this year are:
And read
our guide to developmental milestones for kids
.
Physical Milestones
- 20/20 vision.
- Adult teeth breaking through the gum, with full adult teeth developing at age 6.
- Coordination of arms, legs and body, allowing for activities such as skipping and jumping.
- Stronger balance, including standing on one foot with closed eyes.
- Skilled use of pencils and simple tools, such as using a knife to spread butter.
Read more about physical milestones for 5 year olds.
Social Milestones
- Is apologetic when she makes mistakes.
- Displays less aggressive behaviors.
- Overcomes childhood fears.
- Identifies better with the parent of the same sex.
- Develops friendships.
- Uses her imagination when she plays.
Check out these social milestones for 5 year olds.
Language Milestones
- Has developed a strong vocabulary, including 2,000 words or more.
- Can speak in full sentences and uses tenses correctly (past, present and future).
Learn more about language milestones for 5 year olds.
Cognitive Milestones
- Recognizes different coins.
- Has memorized her phone number.
- Can count to 10.
- Knows the primary colors.
- Addresses meaning and purpose when she asks a question and will question parents when curious.
- Can provide reasons and answers when asked “why?”
- Has improved math skills.
Read about these cognitive milestones for 5 year olds.
Keep in mind that children naturally develop at different rates, so they will hit child development stages at different times. If you do have concerns about your child’s development, consult your pediatrician.
Looking for some fun activities for your 5 to 6 year old? Try these 10 Art Projects for Kids 5 and Up.
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pennsylvania. She has two children, ages 3 and 5. Her 5-year-old will be entering kindergarten this fall.
