By the time kindergarten rolls around, your toddler has morphed into an independent little person. Since your child’s physical and intellectual development at this stage is growing by leaps and bounds, it can sometimes be challenging to keep up.
Here’s how your kid’s cognitive abilities will grow as he tackles kindergarten, and how you can support him:
And read
our guide to developmental milestones for kids
.
Major Cognitive Milestones
Between the ages of 5 and 6, your child will tackle lots of learning basics. He will be able to count up to 10, learn the names of several colors and begin to gain a better grasp on the passing of time, according to the Office of Head Start’s National Center for Teaching and Learning. In addition, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says your kindergartner will be able to recite his phone number and has learned about common household items — for example, he will be able to identify and name different coins, though he may not have the math skills to use them yet.
Understanding cause and effect is an also important milestone at this age, and your kiddo will feel more empowered as he perfects his ability to problem solve by using reasoning and creativity. Parents should seek ways to instill confidence in their children so that they feel capable of handling new situations or problems they may encounter. Melissa Roy, M.Ed, author of the parenting blog Beyond Mommying, explains that children at this age should also be playing a bigger role in taking care of themselves. They know how to brush their teeth properly and will remember to wash their hands after using the bathroom (most times).
Parent Support
Parents can support their child’s cognitive growth in many simple ways. Educators agree on the importance of using everyday activities to reinforce academic lessons. For instance, when baking a cake together, let your 5-year-old help measure out the ingredients as you give directions. Roy also stresses the importance of talking regularly to children, asking open-ended questions and answering their questions as truthfully as possible.
Elementary school principal Seth Berg, M.Ed, creator of the education blog Berg’s Eye View recommends paying attention to what the child’s specific interests are in order to find ways to engage them more fully during teachable moments. For example, if your kid loves dinosaurs but can’t sit still when it comes to numbers, try counting his dino toys instead of regular blocks. Even better, take a trip to the museum and count how many fossils you find — special trips are a great way to spark a child’s curiosity.
As the transition to kindergarten approaches, Roy notes that regular playgroups or extracurricular activities such as dance classes can serve as good ways to prep new students for the classroom if they haven’t already experienced preschool or day care. Organized sports are also a good way to support their development, and it is a great way for your tot to learn more about following directions and to practice quick thinking.
When coming up with creative solutions to help your child thrive both at home and in school, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it alone. One of the best ways to support your children during these years of rapid intellectual development is to not only keep the lines of communication open with teachers and any caregivers who spend time with them, but with your child, too. As an elementary school principal, Berg stresses that their “basic goal at school is to partner with all stakeholders in an effort to provide a joyful experience by which these little ones can begin to understand themselves as learners and valued members of a community.”
Check out this
Overview of Milestones for 5 Year Olds
.
Tisha Berg is a mom, wife, blogger, web copywriter and premed student who works from home. Her articles on family life and parenting have appeared on the Working Mother magazine blog, Lifescript.com and her own blogs, BizMommy.com and TishaBerg.com.
