Your 5-year-old has likely started kindergarten, and he can dress himself, draw simple pictures and write his own name. Between your child’s fifth and sixth birthdays, he’ll make even more significant strides in his physical development. You’ll see him mastering his balance and learning complex movements like tumbling, and he’ll have a blast navigating all the great structures on the playground. Even when he’s not running around, his coordination is improving enough to have more control when he’s drawing, writing or even cutting up paper.
And read
our guide to developmental milestones for kids
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Gross Motor Skills: No Wonder He Moves So Much
Five-year-olds are bundles of energy and never seem to slow down, much less sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. You can thank their increasing gross motor skills for this constant state of movement, which is an important part of their physical development. Children must move a lot in order to learn, according to Joye Newman, a perceptual motor therapist and co-author of “Growing an In-Sync Child.” At this age, your child reaches several movement milestones, including the ability to stand on one foot with his eyes closed, according to the National Institute of Health’s Medline Plus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that your child can also hop around, do somersaults and climb playground equipment, thanks to his ever-increasing ability to use several body parts at one time.
Before your child reaches his sixth birthday, he might also master skipping, going across the monkey bars on his own and pumping his legs to keep himself swinging without your pushes. You can also expect to watch your child learn how to ride a bike, catch and throw a ball and, perhaps, play team sports such as T-ball. All of these activities are made possible by your child’s increasing independence and willingness to try new things.
Fine Motor Skills: This Is One Creative Kid
In addition to writing his name, the alphabet and the numbers one through 10, your 5-year-old masters several fine motor skills that help prepare him for first grade and beyond. Before your child turns 6, he’ll be able to draw or copy simple shapes such as triangles, according to the CDC. Your child’s growing ability to hold a pencil or crayon with a tight grip also enables him to draw people. These same skills allow your child to become increasingly capable with a pair of scissors.
Be prepared for your child to become adamant that he can get dressed on his own. Five-year-olds are increasingly able to button buttons, zip zippers, snap snaps and tie their own shoes. The best part? He really can dress himself, according to HealthyChildren.org, which takes one more thing off your plate on those hurried mornings before school.
Help Build Your Child’s Physical Skills
Encourage your child to engage in free play, running around, swinging his arms and otherwise moving his body. When your child plays in this way, he’s using both the left and right sides of his brain, which helps build gross and fine motor skills. Physical play is an important way for children to spend their time, says Dr. Peter Knott, a board-certified pediatrician in the Denver area. Take your child outside and toss a ball back and forth, or get him a small bike with training wheels and so he can start learning how to balance and ride. Provide plenty of time for your child to do art projects, cut paper, peel and stick stickers and draw, as each of these activities helps hone those fine motor skills.
For more ideas to encourage reaching physical milestones, check out these 8 active games for kids.
When Your Child Can’t Do What the Other Kids Can
It’s essential to remember that all children develop at their own pace. Just because your child isn’t riding a bike like all of his friends are, it doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with him. In most cases, children eventually reach each of the physical milestones even if they occur after the sixth birthday. If your child has trouble dressing himself, can’t use a fork or spoon or doesn’t engage in a variety of physical activities, check in with your pediatrician for advice.
Check out this Overview of Milestones for 5 Year Olds.
Sara Ipatenco has a Bachelor’s degree in child development and elementary education and a Master’s degree in education. Ipatenco enjoys writing about parenting and education, and has been published in “Teaching Tolerance” and “Family Fun” magazines.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
