Five-year-olds have developed so many skills. It's amazing to think about all they have learned since they were born! They are expert users of language. They can tell detailed storied about real and make-believe events. Five-year-olds are creative, fun, and eager to learn and please. They need adults to encourage

Look at your child grow!

When your child is around 5 years old, he or she may:

• be really good at running, skipping, galloping, and other physical activities.
• be learning how to tie his or her shoes.
• comb his or her hair and wash him or herself.
• copy letters, numbers and write his or her own name.
• draw a picture that tells a simple story.
• enjoy counting and sorting objects.
• enjoy being read to and then retelling the story in their own way.

Your child wants you to know several things. He or she may:

• still be learning about the kind of person he or she is by the way they you treat him or her.
• like it when you play simple games with him or her.
• enjoy listening to stories. Encourage your child to tell stories, too. Listen and enjoy.
• like to be helpful. Give your child a chance to be helpful at home in tasks that he or she can do well.
• like opportunities to sort, group, match and count.
• need you to notice the positive things about his or her efforts.
• learn about what is right and wrong from watching what you say and do.
• want to be good and please you. If you ask your child to do things in a positive way, it's easier for him or her to obey.
• still need your affection and encouragement, even though he or she is quite independent.
• consider you his or her favorite teacher. Your child counts on you to teach him or her the important things in life, things like caring, loving, enjoying, and learning.
• still needs your caring attention. Every child is different. If you watch your child closely, you will get clues about how to help him or her grow.