Milestones at 5 years
At 5 years the checklist looks toward school: following rules and taking turns in games, telling a story with at least two events, counting to 10 and naming some letters and numbers. Paying attention for 5 to 10 minutes during an activity is listed, with CDC noting that screen time does not count. Hopping on one foot is one of two movement items.
CDC's 5-year checklist lists 15 milestones: 3 social and emotional, 4 language and communication, 6 cognitive and 2 movement and physical development. The largest group at this age is cognitive, with 6 items. Each one is something most children (75% or more) can do by age 5, so many children do it earlier.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at the 5-year visit, but you can ask for one at any visit if you have a concern. The checkpoint before this one is 4 years, with 17 milestones. It is the last checkpoint on CDC’s list; after 5, development is followed at yearly checkups.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at 5 years; ask for one if you have a concern.
Screening ages: AAP, via CDCSocial and emotional3 items
“Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Sings, dances, or acts for you”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Language and communication4 items
“Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)6 items
“Counts to 10”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night””
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Writes some letters in her name”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Names some letters when you point to them”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Movement and physical development2 items
“Buttons some buttons”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Hops on one foot”
Most children (75%+) by 5 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Checklist items quoted from CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones for 5 years (Source: CDC). “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
If something is “not yet”
“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.”
Source: CDC, milestone checklist for 5 years
- Write down the items you answered “Not yet” or “Not sure”, with an example of what you see at home.
- Bring the list to your child’s doctor and ask whether a developmental screening is a good next step.
- Under 3? Call your state’s early intervention program and ask for a free evaluation. You don’t need a referral.
- 3 or older? Call your local public elementary school and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.