Making friends, forming ideas, following rules … it’s all coming together now, just in time for school! Imagination also reaches new levels, and athletic abilities start to shine. Here, you’ll find ways to make creativity and problem-solving part of each day for your five-year-old, paving the way for continued learning and a “can-do” approach to life.
He draws recognizable pictures, writes his name, dresses himself and completes puzzles
She can solve problems and explain things
His friendships become stronger
She can sort things into basic categories
He can imitate your pose and tone of voice
She can finish activities without waiting for directions
He differentiates between “pretend” and “real” when playing
She begins to make comparisons and her memory expands
He can explain games to other kids
Toys that encourage creative expression
Doodle Pro® Classic Doodler with 2 Stampers (Red)
Doodle Bear® Rose
Doodle Pro® Travel (Green)
Help your child learn more:
“Look what I made!” If you can, stop what you’re doing and check it out when your child wants you to admire his creations. Set aside a special time when you can focus on your child. Ask her to demonstrate her work, and praise her abilities.
Encourage self-expression. Can he explain why he's created a certain drawing or video? Or why she thinks her music sounds a certain way? Encourage talking about ideas and feelings.
Tour an art gallery or museum with your child. Let her critique the work, telling you what she likes best about it. See if the museum offers any kid-friendly activities.
Sports toys
Barbie™ Grow with Me™ 3-in-1 Skateboard
Better Batter™ Baseball
I Can Play™ Basketball
Help your child learn more:
Breathing room. Set up sports toys in an open space free of other toys so your child can play without worry.
Be a good coach. Realize it’s just as important to praise your child's efforts as his successes. If you try to be descriptive in your praise, your words will have more lasting value to your child—for example, “You really concentrated on keeping your swing level that time” vs. “That was a great hit!”
Take turns—it will help your child experience different perspectives.
Give tips for success. Demonstrate how to throw the ball. Show him how to hold the bat; if it's too long for him at first, show him how he can “choke up” on the handle to gain more control over his swing.
Pick up the pace of a game as confidence increases. Maybe you'll even want to count how many hits your child has, how many goals she's scored or how many baskets he's made. Then see if you can break your own records.
Preschool cameras and electronic toys
Smart Tablet
Kid-Tough® Digital Camera
Kid Tough® See Yourself™ Camera
Help your child learn more:
Play favorites. Have your child take pictures of his favorite things. These could include foods, stuffed animals, toys, or anything else he cherishes. He can share it with a teacher, send it to a distant relative or give it to a new friend who wants to know more about him!
Look closely. Taking pictures is a great opportunity for your child to refine observation skills. As you look for subjects, talk about how faraway objects look bigger as you approach them.
“Zoom” in on objects with something other than a camera. Use a magnifying glass to study insects. Visit a science museum to look into a telescope or microscope. Your child can have lots of fun just studying her features in a magnifying mirror.
Cars, vehicles and RC toys
Imaginext® Sky Racers™ Carrier
Help your child learn more:
Everyday fun. Create a challenging roadway for your child's vehicles using everyday objects. Let him race his cars through paper towel "tunnels," roll them to the top of pillow "mountains" and maneuver them over a broom's bristles.
Be an announcer. Watch a short car race on TV. Instead of relying on the speedway announcer, turn the sound off and take turns calling the action!
All about safety. Turn an outing into a lesson in vehicle safety. Take a walk on a city sidewalk and point out the road signs and signals. Explain what they mean, and why it's important for motorists to obey them.
Battery-powered ride-ons
Power Wheels® HOT WHEELS™ Kawasaki KFX®
Power Wheels® Dune Racer (Pink)
Power Wheels® Cadillac® Hybrid Escalade™ Custom Edition
Help your child learn more:
What if … Prompt imaginative play with different scenarios once your child is familiar with a toy.
Point out heroes in your neighborhood, country or the world. Explain why heroes are special people. Your child is still too young to really know about current events, but remember how much kids absorb from hearing the news or adults' conversations.
Tell me a story. Asking your child to tell you about what he's pretending will encourage thinking and help develop language and communication skills. Every once in a while ask, "What did Billy Blazes do today?"
Children develop at their own pace and reach milestones at different times. The highlights mentioned in this website are approximate guidelines only. If you have any questions about your child's development, consult your healthcare provider.
Bug Hunt
Average Rating
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At this age, your child probably finds bugs fascinating! Have fun together on a Bug Hunt!
Materials
Pad of paper and felt-tip pens, or instant camera
Yard, park, nature walk, or other outdoor area
Magnifying glass
Bug identification book (optional)
Instructions
Walk or drive to a park or nature area. Bring a small pad of paper and drawing materials, or an instant camera, if you prefer.
Walk through the area and help your child find some bugs. Use a magnifying glass to get a closer look.
When you locate a bug, have your child draw a picture of it using her pad and pens, or take a photograph.
Continue your walk, looking for different bugs.
After you gather a nice collection, return home to organize the drawings or photos. If using a regular camera, have the film developed.
Lay the pictures or photos on a table and have your child examine the bugs. Ask her to look for features that are similar and different.
If you have a bug identification book, have your child try to identify the bugs and label them.
Safety
Be careful with bugs that bite and sting and watch for dangerous plants such as poison ivy.
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