Big Changes From 5 Year Old to 6 Year Old

Birthdays are always hard for this mama, it is the objective sign of getting older and signifies a completely different age and stage. Reid is going to be 6 in just a few days and while he is super excited to have another finger to hold up to signify his age, his mama is reflecting over the years very bittersweetly.

Five has been a year of physical and emotional growth for Reid. While I feel like the other ages were more focused on milestones, the fifth year has been a huge leap in emotional status for my little guy. He is definitely growing up and realizing the social norms and outside opinions of others (which makes this year a whole new world for parenthood). It is sad to see him start noticing how other people respond, trying to impress others and moving away from his carefree ways to more socially acceptable ways. While it is positive in the sense that maybe a little peer pressure will help him swim this year or listen better to adults; it is the moving away from innocences that is tough to watch.

In Reid’s fifth year, he started playing recreational sports–and a lot of them! He was introduced to baseball, soccer and basketball. He excelled in soccer where he could run and was moving at all times; the other sports were more challenging as baseball is a lot of standing around and waiting your turn and basketball takes a lot of coordination (I think basketball will be better when he is 8). He loved being part of a team and especially loved getting his trophies and uniforms. We watched him grow as a player and a little boy, gaining confidence in himself and his abilities and also determination in getting to the ball and staying with it to improve his skills. I cannot say enough about Upward Sports as they mix faith with sports and create a very loving environment for the kids to learn and play.

Physically, Reid has gotten taller. He gained a couple lbs over this past year, but he grew many more inches. He has definitely leaned out and the sizing of pants from 4t to 5t is not a joke, he is rocking high waters as they fit his waist and the 5t pants engulf him. By spring, he will transition to the 5t pants I’m sure. He is much more coordinated and recently started doing the monkey bars by himself.

Emotionally, he has moved from being dependent on me to rapidly independent. He is growing into his own person, which means we have had an adjustment with mood/disapline. He wants to be independent and make his own rules and has a tendency to talk back from time to time, but it is all part of growing up and finding his place. He is still the sweetest kid and has a huge heart. Emotionally, I want to make sure he is confident (something I have struggled with) and can see his tendency to be small and follow others rather than lead and be himself. It is the first time in a few years (past the baby stage) where I feel the need to read parenting books on how to be the best parent I can be to foster his emotional needs.

Deciding to “redshirt” or “hold him back” another year before kindergarten has been a great decision, but still leaves me worried about the future and him being older than his classmates. This past year, he has matured a lot and I know he will excel when he goes to “big school” in the fall. I definitely think he needed the time, as his wonderful 4’s teacher told us, and I have been so grateful for the extra time with him at home.

Intellectually, there has not been drastic changes that I have seen. He is starting to memorize sight words and working on reading. He has made huge improvements in his fine motor skills and writing ability. He could barely write his name this summer, and now he is able to write a full sentence! He is very interested in reading and wants to gain that skill. He can count to 1000 and continues to be very smart (in our opinions!).

Toys. He has started moving on from playing nonstop with trucks to playing with hot wheels and monster trucks. He enjoys playing with his brother and had a brief interest in legos. He really loves cars and fixing things. The stage from 5 to 6, I have seen a big jump from wanting to play with toys to becoming a little more bored with them. We haven’t introduced a tablet to him, but I know it will probably happen when he starts kindergarten.

Each age in adolescents means a new stage or phase of growing up. I am excited to see my little boy grow and succeed in his 6th year. He will change schools, adjust to being in public elementary school, make new friends, mature into himself more and gain more social and emotional skills. I love our parenting journey and hope to soak up as much time with him as he will let me 🙂

What BIG difference have you noticed in your child’s development this past year? If you have had a 6 year old, any advice or things to expect this year?