Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
What to Expect
General development between ages 2 and 5 years
Children between the ages of 2 and 5 change dramatically in five major areas: emotional and social skills, physical growth, thinking and reasoning skills (called cognitive development), language development, and sensory and motor development. Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. But the exact timing varies from child to child. Also, many children tend to make progress in one area, such as learning new words, while another skill, such as counting, levels off.
- Emotional and social development begins with excitement about being around other children at age 2. But most children at this age play near each other rather than with each other (this is called parallel play). By age 5, most children seek and enjoy friendships. Often they identify a playmate as their "best friend," although their choice may change frequently. Two-year-olds start to recognize the differences between boys and girls. By age 5, children understand many of these differences and often like to dress or play in ways they identify with their gender.
- Physical development slows down from the rapid growth during infancy. From age 2 through age 5, most children annually gain about 3 lb (1.4 kg) to 5 lb (2.3 kg) and grow about 3 in. (7.6 cm).
- Cognitive development, or thinking and reasoning skills, progresses from a simple to more complex understanding of time, letters, counting, and colors. Children are able to follow increasingly more detailed commands. Play gradually becomes more inventive and richly imaginative.
- Language develops rapidly between ages 2 and 5. By age 2, children usually can say at least 50 words. They can recognize the names of many objects and some body parts (such as arms and legs). By age 3, children are learning new words quickly. Most can speak between 150 and 200 words and can follow two-part directions, such as "Wash your face and put your shoes away." They also start to use plurals and short complete sentences that most of the time are understood by others outside of their family. Four-year-olds use longer sentences and can describe an event. Most 5-year-olds can carry on a conversation.
- Sensory and motor skills become more refined, from being able to walk up stairs, kick a ball, and draw simple strokes to basic tumbling and drawing rough figures of people and other recognizable objects. Children also gradually learn to dress themselves and handle their toilet needs independently.
Milestones by age
By 2 years of age, your child:
- Grows at a steady pace, although it has slowed from the phase of rapid growth during the first 18 months of life.
- Alternates between feeling excited, confused, and scared about his or her emerging independence. Temper tantrums may start occurring regularly.
- Says at least 50 words and uses 2-word sentences.
- Runs and can go up and down stairs.
By 3 years of age, your child:
- Looks leaner and longer compared to the early toddler years. Most children have gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since their second birthday.
- Plays pretend, understands 3-step instructions, enjoys simple puzzles, and knows his or her name, age, and sex.
- Enjoys playmates, although "sharing" is often still a challenge.
- Separates from you easily.
- Is interested in or has completed toilet training.
- Uses 4- to 5-word sentences, including some pronouns and plurals.
- Jumps, runs, climbs, pedals a tricycle, and kicks a ball. He or she will likely be able to screw and unscrew lids, draw simple strokes, use silverware, build a tower with at least 6 blocks, and turn pages one at a time.
By 4 years of age, your child:
- Has gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since turning 3.
- Can say his or her name, identify some basic colors, and match things that are the same (such as a pair of socks).
- Can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. But a 4-year-old's active imagination can create all kinds of scary and threatening scenarios.
- Has mastered most grammar skills. He or she speaks in sentences with at least 5 or 6 words, tells stories, and sings songs.
- Hops on one foot, rides a tricycle (or a small bike with training wheels), throws a ball overhand, and goes up and down stairs without holding onto anything. He or she can use safety scissors, draw circles and squares, and write some capital letters.
By 5 years of age, your child:
- Has gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since turning 4.
- Knows his or her address and phone number, most letters of the alphabet, how to count up to 10, and basic concepts of time.
- Acts independently much of the time and understands rules.
- Likes to please others and have friends. But it is normal for children this age to sometimes act unkindly. Five-year-olds are still learning about understanding and being sensitive to other people's feelings.
- Carries on conversations and uses more advanced grammar, such as the future tense.
- Hops on one foot, somersaults, and possibly skips. Most 5-year-olds can dress and undress themselves; draw a person with a head, body, arms, and legs; and write some small and capital letters from the alphabet.
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: April 24, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics | |
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