Social Emotional Development - 5 year olds
To continue with our series on breaking down social emotional development by age, let’s take a look at our curious five year olds. From a developmental approach, what can we begin to expect? Here are some things to prepare for.
Learning empathy
Seeking to please adults and peers by following rules and offering to help
Increasing ability to focus and pay attention on a task
Struggling to consider another point of view - fixed thinking
Exploring a vivid imagination (e.g. believing stuffed animals are real, imaginary friend)
Taking risks and engaging challenges
Enjoying friendships and playing with other children
Learning hands on, by copying others, and repetition
Increasing resistance towards adults as they approach six years old
This can look like testing boundaries, stretching abilities, or even stretching the truth
As parents, educators, caregivers, how can we support this development and help our children tackle these milestones?
Creating a safe environment for kids to sustain curiosity, exploration, and learning
Setting clear structure, expectations, and predictability - informing your child what’s coming next, where you are going, what to expect, etc
Preparing them for transitions and holding to a strong to routine
Reading books together and guessing what will happen next
Increasing responsibility - having them pack their own lunch box, feed the dog, etc
Encouraging problem solving - whether it’s on homework or on the playground
Using puzzles, building blocks, or toys where you need to put things together and problem solve
Creating time to be outdoors, playing games, connecting with friends
Asking for their input, opinion, offering choices - whether it’s picking out their outfits, choosing a snack for school, or selecting the movie on family night
Talking about daily experiences and activities
Responding to positive behavior and limiting attention given to back talking
Helping regulate emotions and behaviors - acknowledging, naming, and validating feelings, then offering calm down techniques (e.g. rainbow breathing)
If you have any questions, please feel encouraged to reach out christina@christinakingfamilytherapy.
Yours In Service,
Christina King, LMFT 145704
Citations and Resources:
Wood, Chip. 2017. Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development 4-14 (4th ed). Center for Responsive Schools.
(2023, April 4). Developmental Milestones: 4 to 5 Year Olds. Healthy Children, The AAP Parenting Website. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-4-to-5-Year-Olds.aspx?_gl=1*15w9agk*_ga*MTIwNzI1NjAzOS4xNzI3Mzc0NTQ4*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTcyNzk5MTExMS4yLjAuMTcyNzk5MTExMS4wLjAuMA..