Your little one’s sixth year will be a hugely exciting one! Not only will they be getting used to school life and enjoying new friendships, but they’ll also learn a host of exciting new skills. And what’s more, their physical and emotional growth will be ever-growing, and at a hugely fast rate.

However, we know it can often be tricky to track your child’s progress as they get older. So we’re here to take you through a guide to major milestones in each area of development and explain what your child should be able to achieve by the time they’re 6 years old.

Just a quick reminder: children develop at their own pace. Please don’t overthink or stress if they’re not meeting these milestones the moment they turn 6.

So, let’s begin with the language and cognitive milestones.

Language and cognitive thinking:

When it comes to your 6-year-old’s language abilities, you’ll notice that they’re speaking a great deal more and generally with the correct grammar. They should now be easily understood by pretty much anyone they come across—strangers or family members—and they’ll confidently articulate their thoughts and feelings.

Their cognitive abilities will also have matured, with a greater understanding of the differences between reality and imagination and past and present.

What are the language and cognitive milestones?

They can concentrate on tasks for more than 15 minutes at a time.

They’re beginning to read and write on their own.

They can count to 10.

They can follow a series of three commands.

Hands, fingers, and movement:

6-year-olds will move with much more confidence and greater coordination. You’ll find that your little one can easily navigate most playground equipment, can catch and throw a ball, and if they’re given the opportunity, they’ll manage to ride a bicycle.

Their fine motor skills should have developed to a level that sees them write their own name, draw discernible pictures, button their clothing, and brush their teeth fairly well.

What are the physical milestones?

They can draw a picture of someone with several body parts.

They can write their name as well as most letters and numbers.

They can skip and attempt a skipping rope.

Social and emotional intelligence:

While they may still struggle to say goodbye at the school gate, their independence and individuality will continue to grow now that they’re surrounded by school friends and teachers. With a developing sense of empathy, they’ll learn to think of others and not just themselves.

What are the social and emotional milestones?

They have greater empathy for others.

They develop deeper and more meaningful relationships.

They may show a tendency for jealousy when it comes to friends and siblings.

How can I help my child keep learning and growing?

Although they’ll be reading a great deal at school, encourage them to read as much as possible when at home too, and have them talk about what they read. It's also a pivotal time for social development, so take them to playdates and extracurriculars so that they have plenty of opportunities to interact with others.

When should I be concerned about my child?

It’s important to remember that all children develop at different times, so if your little one doesn’t quite meet every milestone listed above, don’t worry just yet. That being said, if you notice any of the following, it’s worth speaking to your paediatrician:

Your little one is eating fewer than 20 different foods.

They do not interact with their peers.

They often cover their ears when they hear loud noises.

They frequently stand in one place and spin.

What are the development milestones for a 6-year-old?

Unii explores the developmental milestones your child should be hitting at six.