Five Years Old: Mellowed

Please keep in mind as you read the following lists of developmentally appropriate behaviors, that no two children are alike.  Some children might exhibit all the age-related characteristics, some might exhibit most, and there are some children who might not exhibit more than one or two. 

When using the list below, it is important to also consider your child’s adjusted age if applicable, environmental, and situational factors, the child’s temperament, and if the child is in a period of equilibrium or disequilibrium. 

​A 5-year old child usually but not always:

• enjoys life
• looks consistently on life’s sunny side
• uses positive language “Sure!”, “Alright!”, “Fine!”, “Lovely!”, “Wonderful”, “I just love…!”
• lives in the here and now
• is not as adventurous; is quieter by nature
• likes the security of tried and true
• is less resistant, not working on proving that he is his own boss
• can protect himself from over-stimulation, i.e. knows his own limits.

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Abilities

• is impressed with his own increased abilities
• loves to read, learn new facts, practice writing…
• is able to judge what he can and cannot do; therefore, is more confident and secure
• is determined to do things “just right”
• may ask for permission to do even simple things
• cares a lot about his own room, home, street, neighborhood, classroom
• may ascribe human feelings to inanimate objects (“It is raining because the clouds got angry”)
• has a more accurate and detailed concept of death – however, since he may still think death is reversible, he often can be matter-of-fact and unemotional about death
• some may still wet the bed at night (not a concern)

Family

• adores parents and sees them as the ultimate authorities
• has strong feelings for family, including pets
• sees mother as the center of his world and wants to please her and be near her
• needs reassurance that he is loved
• may do better with siblings, but may over-estimate abilities to care for younger children

Fears

• is not much of a worrier
• may have occasional nightmares
• may have frequent frightening animal dreams

Play/Imagination

• gets along well with others, although plays better with two friends than with three
• loves to play “house”
• plays with blocks
• loves to climb, swing, jump, and skip
• has less interest in sex play
• may make up stories with violence as the main theme 

Parents may need to consider whether their 5-year old is ready to begin first grade. Some are not ready in the different areas of maturity: emotional, social, physical, as well as the often more emphasized intellectual.
Much of the following information is based on the studies by The Gesell Institute of Human Development, with the primary source being Your One Year Old, by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. Also included is information from Pick Up Your Socks by Elizabeth Crary. This information Can be found at the centerforparentingeducation.org