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Your child at 5 years

The CDC's 5-year checklist includes counting to 10, using simple rhymes, writing some letters in their name and hopping on one foot.

The CDC's milestone checklist for 5 years lists 15 things most children (75% or more) do by 5 years, such as “Counts to 10” and “Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)”. Many do them sooner. If your child isn't doing one or more of them, or has lost a skill, the CDC says don't wait: talk with your child's doctor.

Checked October 29, 2026.

What most children do by 5 years

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

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 5 years, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 5 years. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

  1. Rhyme time

    Say a word and take turns finding rhymes: cat, hat, bat. Silly made-up words count too.

  2. Hopscotch

    Chalk a few squares on the sidewalk and hop on one foot from square to square.

    Safety: Away from traffic, with you watching.

  3. Sock race

    Turn a pile of clean socks into a matching race. Who finds the most pairs?

Things to say

  • “Cat, hat... what else rhymes?”
  • “Tell me a story. Then what happened?”
  • “Let's count to ten together.”

Say it, then wait. Give your child time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A book to share

A longer story, read over a few nights. Before each night's reading, ask what your child remembers from last time.

Your library has board books and picture books to borrow, and most run free story times.

Questions parents ask about this age

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your child isn't doing one or more of the things on the CDC's 5-year list above, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason.

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, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is age 3 or older, call any local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there) and say: "I have concerns about my child's development and I would like to have my child evaluated through the school system for preschool special education services."

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

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

From the CDC's Milestones by 5 years page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents

Your child at 5 years

What most children do by 5 years

  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Buttons some buttons
  • Hops on one foot

Play today

  • Rhyme time
  • Hopscotch
  • Sock race

Say

  • “Cat, hat... what else rhymes?”
  • “Tell me a story. Then what happened?”
  • “Let's count to ten together.”

Read or sing

A longer story, read over a few nights

Worried?

Talk to your pediatrician. Don't wait.

Milestones in the CDC's words, from “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (most children, 75% or more, do these by that age). parent.peabody.kids/age/5-years

Sources