5-year-old milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 5 years; mark what your child does and take the list to your child’s doctor.

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Children born early usually use their actual age from age 2.

Social/Emotional Milestones

Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
Sings, dances, or acts for you
Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

Language/Communication Milestones

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
Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Counts to 10
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
Writes some letters in her name
Names some letters when you point to them

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Buttons some buttons
Hops on one foot

Other important things to share with the doctor

CDC suggests these questions; the wording is CDC’s.

  1. What are some things you and your child do together?
  2. What are some things your child likes to do?
  3. Is there anything your child does or does not do that concerns you?
  4. Has your child lost any skills he/she once had?
  5. Does your child have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What to ask the doctor

Talk with your child’s doctor. You know your child best. If you have a concern, don’t wait for the next visit: call your child’s doctor, share it, and ask about developmental screening.

Screenings at checkups. Doctors are advised to screen every child’s development with a standard questionnaire at the 9-, 18- and 30-month visits, and to screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. You can ask for a screening at any visit.

If your child loses a skill. If your child stops doing something they used to do, at any age, call the doctor. Losing a skill is always worth a call.

You don’t need a referral. If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s early intervention program yourself. From age 3, contact your local public school district, even if your child doesn’t go there. Find early intervention (CDC)

If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.

Sources: Zubler et al. 2022, Pediatrics 149(3) (the 2022 checklists); Lipkin and Macias 2020, Pediatrics 145(1) (the screening schedule); CDC’s early intervention pages.

Act early

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.

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page for this age.

Questions parents ask at 5 years

Answered from CDC’s 2022 checklists, quoting CDC’s wording exactly.

Should my 5-year-old know letters and numbers?

CDC’s 5-year list includes “Counts to 10”, “Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them”, “Names some letters when you point to them” and “Writes some letters in her name”. This is CDC’s last checklist. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

Should a 5-year-old be able to hop on one foot?

CDC’s 5-year movement items are “Hops on one foot” and “Buttons some buttons”. At 4 years they included “Catches a large ball most of the time” and “Unbuttons some buttons”. If you have a question about how your child moves, talk with your child’s doctor.

How long can a 5-year-old keep a conversation going?

CDC’s 5-year list says “Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges” and “Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him”. At 3 years it listed “Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges”. If you have a question about conversation, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes before 5 years

Show CDC’s 4-year list

CDC’s checklist for the checkpoint before 5 years, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 5-year one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 4 years

  • Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
  • Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
  • Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
  • Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
  • Likes to be a “helper”
  • Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)

Language/Communication Milestones

At 4 years

  • Says sentences with four or more words
  • Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
  • Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
  • Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

At 4 years

  • Names a few colors of items
  • Tells what comes next in a well-known story
  • Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 4 years

  • Catches a large ball most of the time
  • Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision
  • Unbuttons some buttons
  • Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Tips and activities for 5 years

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The tips and activities below are CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s page for this age

What You Can Do for Your 5-year-old

As your child's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your child's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child's development.

  • Your child might start to "talk back" in order to feel independent and test what happens. Limit the attention you give to the negative words. Find alternative activities for her to do that allow her to take the lead and be independent. Make a point of noticing good behavior. "You stayed calm when I told you it's bedtime."
  • Ask your child what she is playing. Help her expand her answers by asking "Why?" and "How?" For example, say "That's a nice bridge you're building. Why did you put it there?"
  • Play with toys that encourage your child to put things together, such as puzzles and building blocks.
More Parenting Tips and Activities (22)
  • 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.

On CDC’s site

The checklist on this page is CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s site already has an online checklist for each age. What this page adds: a corrected-age calculator and a list for the doctor that prints without an email step.

More for parents

Milestone checklist: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”, 2022 revision. Source: CDC. Read this checklist on cdc.gov

Use of CDC material on this page does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.

Prepared by MyTestAtlas from CDC materials.