Anticipatory Guidance for Your 5-Year-Old Child
Immunizations Your Child Needs Now
Your 5-year-old should receive several important vaccines before starting kindergarten, including DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), IPV (polio), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. 1
Required Vaccines at Age 5:
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis): Your child needs the 5th dose of this vaccine between ages 4-6 years to maintain protection against these serious diseases 2
IPV (Polio): The 4th dose should be given at age 4-6 years 3
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): The 2nd dose is routinely given at age 4-6 years, ideally before school entry 1, 2
Varicella (Chickenpox): The 2nd dose should be administered at age 4-6 years 1, 3
Important Vaccine Information:
All these vaccines can be given during the same visit - your child doesn't need separate appointments 3
For the MMR and Varicella vaccines, your doctor may offer a combination vaccine called MMRV, which reduces the number of shots from two to one 2, 1
If your child has a personal or family history of seizures (in parents or siblings), separate MMR and Varicella vaccines are recommended instead of the combination MMRV vaccine 2, 1
Mild illness with or without fever is NOT a reason to delay vaccination - your child can still receive vaccines even with a cold 2
Physical Development and Safety
What to Expect:
At age 5, your child is becoming more coordinated and independent. They can typically run, jump, skip, and are learning to ride a bicycle 4
Safety Priorities:
Burn Prevention: Keep matches, lighters, and hot liquids out of reach. Set your water heater to 120°F or below 5
Car Safety: Your child should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the seat's weight or height limit, then transition to a booster seat 5
Bicycle Safety: Always ensure your child wears a properly fitted helmet when riding bikes, scooters, or skates 5
Water Safety: Never leave your child unsupervised near water, including bathtubs, pools, and natural bodies of water 5
Stranger Safety: Teach your child basic safety rules about talking to strangers and what to do if they become separated from you 4
Social and Emotional Development
What's Normal at Age 5:
Your child is developing friendships, learning to share, and understanding rules. They may show specific fears (like fear of the dark or monsters), which are part of normal development 4
How to Support Your Child:
Encourage Prosocial Behaviors: Praise your child when they share, take turns, and show kindness to others 4
Manage Aggression: Set clear, consistent limits on aggressive behavior. Teach your child to use words instead of physical actions when upset 4
Address Fears: Take your child's fears seriously, provide reassurance, and avoid forcing them to confront fears before they're ready 4
Promote Self-Discipline: Use positive discipline strategies that teach problem-solving rather than just punishment 4
Language and School Readiness
Supporting Learning:
Read Together Daily: Share books with your child every day. This is one of the most important activities for school readiness 6, 5
Vocabulary Development: Talk with your child throughout the day, introducing new words and explaining their meanings 5
Social Development: Arrange playdates and group activities to help your child practice social skills needed for school 5
Sleep and Daily Routines
Sleep Needs:
Five-year-olds typically need 10-13 hours of sleep per night. Establishing healthy sleep habits now supports learning and behavior 4
Creating Good Sleep Habits:
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine
- Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet
- Avoid screens for at least one hour before bedtime
- Set a regular bedtime and wake time, even on weekends 4
Nutrition and Eating
Common Concerns:
Picky eating is normal at this age. Continue offering a variety of healthy foods without forcing your child to eat 4
Healthy Eating Tips:
- Offer regular meals and snacks at consistent times
- Include your child in meal planning and preparation
- Limit juice to 4-6 ounces per day
- Encourage water as the primary beverage
- Make mealtimes pleasant and pressure-free 4
Discipline and Behavior
Effective Strategies:
Set Clear Expectations: Explain rules simply and consistently 4
Use Natural Consequences: When safe, allow your child to experience the natural results of their choices 4
Praise Good Behavior: Catch your child being good and acknowledge it specifically 4
Time-Outs: For serious misbehavior, use brief time-outs (about 5 minutes for a 5-year-old) 4
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your pediatrician if you notice:
- Significant delays in speech or language development
- Difficulty with social interactions or making friends
- Persistent aggressive behavior
- Extreme fears that interfere with daily activities
- Sleep problems that don't improve with routine changes
- Concerns about your child's readiness for kindergarten 4, 5
Additional Resources
Your pediatrician is your best resource for questions about your child's development and health. Don't hesitate to bring up concerns during visits - parents often report unmet needs for guidance on discipline, development, and school readiness 5, 7