The Five Year Old Child - Interpersonal Relations

The information in this article is from the classic research in child development by Arnold Gesell, Frances Ilg, and Louise Bates Ames at the Yale Clinic of Child Development.

The five year old is a joy to be around. She takes life as it comes, is helpful and obedient, stays close by, and rarely does anything without asking permission. She adores her mother especially, but also her father, grandparents, and teachers. She usually plays best with children her own age and gets along well in groups at school. At home she does best playing with just one other friend. She also plays well with younger and older siblings and neighborhood children. She is protective of younger children but will have flashes of jealousy if she perceives that her younger sibling is getting too much attention. She can be bossy and becomes stressed out if the younger child is not cooperative.

With older children, the mix has to be just right for her to get along well. Fighting is common. She will play "the baby" in a game of house for a while but she grows tired of this after a short time. She wants to do things her way too and will quit playing if the older child will not let her have her turn to manage things. Parents should watch for signs of emotional fatigue in their five year old and limit social interactions before she explodes into tears, screams, or fights. Generally, five year olds get along better playing outside rather than inside.

Article by:

Kimberly Keith, MEd, LPC

A Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years' experience in counseling parents and children.

Reprinted with permission from:

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