Motor Milestones for 5-Year-Olds
When movement becomes smoother, faster, and more purposeful
By age five, many children move with ease, speed, and growing coordination. Running, skipping, and riding a bike become part of their daily play and fine motor skills like drawing, writing, and dressing show more precision and independence.
At this stage, motor skills support school readiness, social play, and growing self-confidence.
Gross Motor Skills
Using the whole body for movement, balance, and physical play
Many 5-year-olds can:
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Skip and begin to gallop
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Run fast with good balance and direction changes
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Balance on one foot for 8–10 seconds
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Hop on one foot several times in a row
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Catch and throw a ball with more accuracy
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Jump over obstacles or from low heights
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Climb ladders or jungle gyms with confidence
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Ride a bike with training wheels
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Follow simple movement routines or dance sequences with rhythm
These skills support active participation in games, sports, and group play.
Fine Motor Skills
Using hands for writing, drawing, self-care, and building
At this age, children often:
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Draw recognizable people with details (head, body, limbs, features)
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Copy letters and numbers
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Write their own name
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Color inside the lines
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Cut out shapes with scissors
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Use a mature tripod grasp when writing or coloring
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Build detailed structures with small blocks (e.g., LEGO)
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Zip and unzip clothing independently
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Use a knife and fork (with some supervision)
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Begin tying shoelaces (or actively learning to)
Fine motor development at this stage plays a big role in school success and daily independence.
Gentle Reminder
By age five, most children are showing clear progress in both gross and fine motor skills. While each child moves at their own pace, significant delays especially across several areas may benefit from early support.
If your child is avoiding certain movements, struggling with coordination, or finding self-care tasks unusually hard, trust your instincts. You don’t have to wait or wonder.
At PRIMES, we’re here to help you understand your child’s development and offer support that fits their needs and your family.