5 years old

Fine Motor

• build a tower of at least 12 blocks
• draw a recognisable person with lots of detail
• draw a circle, square, diagonal, cross and a triangle
• have good control of pencils and paint brushes using tripod grasp [pencil between thumb and index and sitting on middle finger]
• trace own name – or write own name
• draw a house with doors, windows, roof
• trace through thick mazes
• thread beads on a string
• cut on a curved line – beginning to cut circles neatly
• manage fastenings eg zippers, buttons and buckles
• show a preferred hand for drawing and writing

Visual Perception

• copy block designs with six blocks or Lego pieces
• Create simple patterns with blocks, magnetic shapes
• do puzzles of 16 plus pieces
• recall 2 to 3 items seen
• find objects/pictures hidden in a busy background
• recognise name

Thinking Skills

• understand working left to right
• identify missing elements of a picture
• attend to task for [10 minutes] without supervision
• remain on task for 5 – 10 minutes when distractions are present
• work in a small group for 10 – 15 minutes
• complete a task with little prompting
• recognise many letters and sounds of the letters
• identify number symbols 1 – 5
• count by rote to 20
• count at least to six with ‘one to one’ correspondence
• play group games following rules
• create own activities
• independently try out new activities
• accept an altered routine when requested
• know their left and right sides
• return objects or materials to their assigned/appropriate place
• quieten down after an active period and wait for instructions
• volunteer for tasks
• obey rules
• carry out domestic and dramatic play alone or with playmates from day to day
• hold a book the right way, turn pages, use pictures to tell a story

Gross Motor

• run and change direction smoothly
• walk easily on narrow line
• gallop with either foot leading
• sit cross-legged on the floor for the duration of a story
• stand on one foot for 8 – 10 seconds - climb on playground equipment
• skip on alternate feet
• hop on one foot [up to 10 times]
• throw a ball overhand
• catch a ball mainly using hands [10cm diameter ball]
• bounce a ball 2-3 times [15cm diameter ball]
• run and kick a ball
• ascend and descend stairs alternating feet without holding on

Social/Emotional

• usually be in a positive mood
• display a capacity for humour
• not be excessively dependent on adults
• cooperate in play
• share and take turns
• show an interest in others
• comfort a playmate in distress
• cope adequately with rebuffs
• be appropriately assertive
• give clear reasons for their actions
• express frustration and anger without escalating disagreements or harming others
• not draw inappropriate attention to himself/herself
• use imagination in play
• make eye contact
• enter a group successfully
• participate in discussions and negotiations
• have some positive relationships with peers
• be named by other children as a friend

Self Care

• remove a wrapper, insert a straw
• open most lunchboxes and containers
• wash and dry hands without assistance
• ‘really’ comb or brush hair
• have only occasional toileting accidents
• be able to wipe bottom
• adjust clothing before leaving the toilet
• blow and wipe nose
• learning to use a knife and fork, if demonstrated by parents

Communication

• repeat a set of four digits
• repeat a five word sentence
• use a spontaneous six word sentence with correct grammar
• talk about events which are happening, have happened or might happen
• explain why something happens, such as ‘Mum’s car stopped because the petrol ran out’
• explain the function of objects, eg ‘this hair clip keeps my hair out of my eyes’
• follow three directions, such as ‘stand up, put your shoes on and wait by the door’
• say how they feel and tell you their ideas
• become interested in writing, numbers and reading
• speak clearly enough to be understood by most people
• understand the basic concepts of more, less, many, few, first, middle, last, high, low, wet, dry, big, little
• tell their full address
• tell parents’ first and last names
• say how they feel before acting
• ask for assistance when needed
• stay on topic during a conversation
• retell a simple story
• know some nursery rhymes and stories