Milestones by 5 Years

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned:

• Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
• Call your state or territory's early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

• Use words to help your child begin to understand time. For example, sing songs about the days of the week and let him know what day it is. Use words about time, such as today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
• Let your child do things for himself, even if he doesn't do it perfectly. For example, let him make his bed, button his shirt, or pour water into a cup. Celebrate when he does it and try not to "fix" anything you don't have to.
• Talk about and label your child's and your own feelings. Read books and talk about the feelings characters have and why they have them.
• Play rhyming games. For example, say "What rhymes with cat?"
• Teach your child to follow rules in games. For example, play simple board games, card games, or Simon Says.
• Create a spot in your home for your child to go to when he's upset. Stay nearby so your child knows he is safe and can come to you for help calming as needed.
• Set limits for screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) for your child, to no more than 1 hour per day. Make a media use plan for your family.
• Eat meals with your child and enjoy family time talking together. Give the same meal to everyone. Avoid screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) during mealtime. Let your child help prepare the healthy foods and enjoy them together.
• Encourage your child to "read" by looking at the pictures and telling the story.
• Play games that help with memory and attention. For example, play card games, Tic Tac Toe, I Spy, or Hot and Cold.
• Let your child play with other children, such as at a park or library. Ask about local play groups and pre-school programs. Playing with others helps your child learn the value of sharing and friendship.
• Teach your children about safe touch, such as hugging when both people want to and touches that help keep children healthy (touches from doctors or parents). Unsafe touches are touches that might make a child feel hurt, uncomfortable, scared, or confused. Teach your children that they are in charge of who touches them. Help them practice saying 'no' to unwanted or unsafe touch and let them know there are adults they can turn to for help.
• Teach your child to look for "helpers" if she is lost or needs help, such as parents with children, a store clerk with a badge, or a police officer. Teach your child her name and your name (first and last names).
• Encourage your child to pretend play. Help your child find items she can use to play dress up, school, or house.
• Keep a box of crayons, paper, paint, child scissors, and glue for creative play. Encourage your child to draw and make art projects with different supplies.
• Take your child to the playground. Teach her how to pump her legs back and forth on a swing and help her play on the monkey bars.
• Create a calm, quiet bedtime routine. Avoid any screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) for 1 to 2 hours before bed and don't put any screens in your child's bedroom. Children this age need 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier!
• Read to your child. Ask questions, such as "What is happening in the picture?" and "What do you think will happen next?"
• Explore things your child likes. For example, if he loves animals, get some library books about animals, look for birds and squirrels in a park, or visit a zoo to learn about animals.
• Try to make time for active play each day. Your child will have more fun if she can choose the activity. For example, give her choices, such as playing music and dancing together, playing outside, or taking a walk together.
• Your child might start to talk back or use profanity (swear words) as a way to feel independent. Do not give a lot of attention to this talk, other than a brief time out. Instead, praise your child when he asks for things nicely and calmly takes "no" for an answer.
• Help your child be ready for new places and meeting new people. For example, you can read stories or role play (pretend play) to help her get ready for Kindergarten.