Five-year-old boy runs gleefully through the water, sporting a big smile. There is lots to look forward to when your child turns 5.

Fantastic 5! What to Expect with Your Child This Year

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  • A kindergartener's hand holds a crayon while coloring a picture at a desk. As your child starts school, it's important to set up a consistent after-school routine that reinforces the concepts that they're learning in the classroom.

    5 Steps to the Perfect After-School Routine

    Your 5-year-old has likely just started school and is learning all sorts of new things, from their letters to how to sit at a desk for extended periods of time. They may also start getting homework for the first time. As a parent, it's your job to support them in their learning journey and reinforce these concepts at home. A strong after-school routine will help them to not only solidify what they've learned, but will also provide the structure and organization that they will need to be successful students and adults in the future.

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  • 5-year-old boy walks in nature alone, holding up an autumn leaf. By this age, children should be able to perform several self-care skills independently.

    What Self-Care Skills Should My Child Have at 5 Years Old?

    Five is a big year, as many children will be starting school for the first time! With this huge milestone looming close, now may be a good time to reflect on the self-care skills that your child has and work on those that they haven't yet mastered. Kindergarten teachers often refer to a child's ability to do things independently as being a big factor in their success in the classroom. In fact, being able to take care of themselves independently can really have an impact on their self-esteem. Little ones who can dress and groom themselves, know where to find items they need, and can clean up after themselves beam with pride when they show the adults in their lives all they can do!

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  • Two children sit side by side reading a book and holding a Storypod. Print awareness is one of the indicators that your child is ready to read in Kindergarten.

    The Kindergarten Reading Readiness Checklist

    Kindergarten reading readiness refers to the stage in which a child shows signs that they are ready to begin reading. It is a crucial topic for parents and educators alike. Reading is an essential skill that forms the foundation for academic success, and it is important to ensure that children are prepared to learn to read when they begin kindergarten.

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  • Young boy sits at table with a Storypod and a book. Reading is one of the five important educational routines to start in the New Year.

    5 Educational Routines You Can Execute at Home

    The education your child receives at home is some of the most formative he or she will receive, as it creates a foundation for future learning and reinforces any lessons that may have been given at school. Create some simple, but fruitful, learning routines that will serve to progress your child’s educational development. These educational routines do not need to be complex or rigorous to be effective. Simplicity and consistency is key to garnering long-term results!

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  • Little girl quietly reads a book on her lap. There are 4 predominant learning styles that children may gravitate toward. Parents should make an effort to find out and understand their child's learning style.

    What are the 4 Learning Styles in Children?

    As with many aspects of their development, children are unique in the ways that they take in and retain information. From having an affinity for memorizing new words to working well with their hands, parents should take the time to notice their child’s tendencies in how they absorb the world around them as it could give them a clue to their learning style. This information can be useful when helping your child to learn new things at home or when they start school.

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  • Five-year-old boy runs gleefully through the water, sporting a big smile. There is lots to look forward to when your child turns 5.

    Fantastic 5! What to Expect with Your Child This Year

    Get ready for an exciting year! With school starting and an ever-evolving vocabulary, your 5-year-old is sure to delight you with the leaps and bounds they’ll be making socially and cognitively this year. Read on to find out what’s in store for you and your little one!

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  • A pair of child's hands hold a pencil while writing on a piece of paper at a desk covered in school supplies

    See if Your Child is on Track with This Kindergarten Writing Skills Checklist

    Kindergarten is a time of rapid development and academic progress. From reading simple words to executing life-skills, like packing up their backpack and cleaning their desk, you’ll be blown away by how much your child has grown in a single year.

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  • Two sets of hands hold cell phones, their owners completely engrossed by the screen

    Is My Own Screen Time Affecting My Children?

    The science behind the effects of screen time on developing minds is well known to most parents. But does adult screen time affect children, as well? While our brains may be fully developed, our screen time can still be detrimental. When parents are overly absorbed by their technology, they tune-out what’s going on around them.

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  • A child reading along with the Storypod.

    Why Listening is an Essential Part of Learning How to Read

    While developmentally-conscious parents institute storytime as a vital part of their household ritual, primary classrooms fill their schedules with “rhyme time” and daily songs. Any parent or teacher can tell you how much children love to listen to stories, songs, and rhymes.

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  • Child practicing sight words while reading book

    What Should I Do if My Child is Having Trouble with Sight Words?

    Soon after your child learns the alphabet, he or she will begin learning their sight words. Sight words are commonly seen words that do not follow the typical rules of spelling, like does, can, and the. Because of this, they can be difficult for children to decode and are taught through memorization at school. Learning age appropriate sight words is vital for reading fluency. So what should you do if you notice your child isn’t catching on as quickly as they should be?

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  • Two kindergarten-aged boys happily take turns using toys.

    How to Support Your 5 Year Old’s Social-Emotional Development by Taking Turns

    Does your 5 year old wait patiently for their turn on the slide at the playground? Or for their teacher to call on their raised hand at school? Or for their turn to choose the book for storytime at home (if taking turns with you or their siblings)? Taking turns is a big milestone in your child’s Social-Emotional development.

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  • Mother and son sit on couch while reading a book. You can strengthen your child's literacy skills by using their favorite books.

    How to Strengthen Your Child’s Literacy Skills Using Their Favorite Books

    Does your child ask for more books on a particular subject, in their favorite series, or by their favorite authors? That’s good news for many reasons! It means your child is developing background knowledge about characters, situations, events, and people that they read about.

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