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Communication Milestones: 5 Years

Every child grows and develops in their own unique way and at their own pace.

 

Milestones are simply helpful guidelines, and it’s okay if your child reaches them a little earlier or later than others.

 

If you have questions or just want reassurance, we’re here for you—please feel free to reach out.

5 Years

Speaking & Expressive Language: 

Drawing simple shapes (circles, lines, beginning crosses)

  • Using scissors with assistance

  • Holding crayons/markers with more control

  • Stringing beads or completing simple puzzles

  • Beginning to copy basic shapes

  • Using utensils more neatly

Articulation:

  • Running with better control and fewer falls

  • Jumping forward and off low steps

  • Climbing playground equipment confidently

  • Pedaling a tricycle

  • Standing on one foot briefly

  • Throwing and catching a ball (with some success)

Speech Fluency:

  • Engaging in imaginative and pretend play with stories

  • Playing cooperatively with other children

  • Taking turns (with reminders)

  • Beginning to understand rules in simple games

  • Showing empathy and awareness of others’ feelings

Listening & Understanding:

  • Categorizes words (animals, clothes, food)

  • Follows 2- & 3-step directions

  • Understands many color, shape, size, position, quantity, & time concepts

  • Understands short stories and answers simple questions about them

Social Communication & Play:

  • Shares feelings and verbalizes opinions

  • Shows curiosity; asks many questions

  • Uses language to reason and persuade

  • Understands they can know something that someone else doesn’t know

  • Waits turn and changes topics appropriately

Early Literacy Skills ages 5-6:

  • Names all uppercase and lowercase letters

  • Associates letters with their sounds

  • Counts syllables, labels first sounds in words

  • Starts to blend and segment sounds in words

  • Uses invented spelling (“kt” for “cat”)

  • Draws pictures & tells stories about them

Between 2 1/2 and 5 years, it’s common for children to go through a normal disfluency phase. This is because their speech and language skills are growing faster than their motor coordination can keep up. Most kids grow out of it naturally.

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