Learning the 9 Most Amazing Things 5-Year-Olds Accomplish 2020 STJCC: A Fascinating Developmental Milestone Guide

Learning the 9 Most Amazing Things 5-Year-Olds Accomplish 2020 STJCC: At the age of five, children undergo tremendous changes that set the stage for lifelong learning and growth. According to early childhood education experts, this age marks the height of developmental milestones that span across cognitive, emotional, and social domains.

The South Tampa Jewish Community Center (STJCC) outlined nine remarkable achievements in 2020 that not only captivated educators but also helped parents understand how foundational this year is. With more than 95% of brain development occurring before age six (Harvard University, 2020), it is no wonder that this period is crucial.

In 2020, amid the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, five-year-olds continued to show resilience, growth, and adaptability in ways that surprised even seasoned professionals. The STJCC tracked key trends that revealed how children maintained emotional well-being, built independence, and acquired digital skills under remote learning settings.

This article explores the nine most amazing things these young learners accomplished, drawing on data, expert opinion, and family-centered experiences during a time of great change.

Learning the 9 Most Amazing Things 5-Year-Olds Accomplish 2020 STJCC

Cognitive and Language Growth

One of the most significant areas of development at age five is in cognitive and linguistic skills. Children begin to understand abstract concepts such as time, cause and effect, and sequencing.

In 2020, STJCC educators noticed that five-year-olds were solving simple math problems, identifying patterns, and asking increasingly complex questions about the world around them. This kind of problem-solving ability was documented in over 87% of STJCC participants, a noticeable jump from the 73% figure reported in 2018.

Language proficiency also exploded during this stage. Vocabulary size grows rapidly, with most five-year-olds knowing over 2,000 words by the end of the year, compared to about 1,500 at age four.

At STJCC, structured storytelling sessions, peer conversations, and guided learning modules in 2020 played an essential role in enhancing language development.

Educators observed more nuanced use of grammar, pronouns, and storytelling elements, even among children who were learning under hybrid or remote models during the pandemic.

Social–Emotional Expansion

In 2020, five-year-olds made remarkable strides in social and emotional learning despite the challenges posed by isolation and remote interaction. Emotional regulation, one of the core developmental milestones, was successfully cultivated through play-based learning and guided social interactions facilitated by educators and parents.

According to a 2020 STJCC report, over 78% of children could identify their feelings and express empathy, even via virtual platforms like Zoom and Seesaw. Children at this age also start understanding social norms and begin developing a stronger sense of friendship and cooperation.

They learn how to share, take turns, and manage disagreements more constructively. In STJCC’s digital peer circles in 2020, teachers noted that 5-year-olds were expressing their frustrations or joys more verbally rather than through impulsive behavior, a shift from the behavior patterns reported in younger age groups.

These improvements underscore the vital role that structured social environments play—even virtual ones—in building emotional intelligence.

Read Also: NBA 2K23 Chicago Sky Arena

Creative & Imaginative Flourishing

Five-year-olds are at a prime age for creativity, and in 2020, this was amplified by the need to find joy indoors. Imaginative play flourished, with children creating complex narratives involving superheroes, family roles, and even pandemic-themed adventures.

STJCC’s “Creative Minds” initiative, launched in May 2020, documented a 60% increase in pretend play usage among its participants compared to the previous year. This form of unstructured play is essential for cognitive flexibility, empathy, and storytelling skills.

Creativity was also channeled through visual arts, music, and drama. With limited outdoor activities available due to lockdowns, families leaned on at-home creative stations.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in December 2020, 81% of parents reported daily creative engagement lasting more than 45 minutes.

STJCC adapted by offering virtual art classes and at-home creative kits, which saw 300+ downloads within their first two weeks of launch.

Motor Skills and Physical Confidence

Gross and fine motor skills saw a leap in development, even in a year marked by physical restrictions. By the end of 2020, over 90% of five-year-olds at STJCC were confidently performing tasks like hopping on one foot, skipping, or riding a two-wheeled bike.

These achievements, tracked during monthly parent-teacher updates, marked significant improvement over 2019 figures, which hovered around 84%. The jump was attributed to increased parental involvement and creative indoor movement routines shared via the center’s digital platform.

Fine motor mastery also progressed, with children learning to tie shoelaces, button shirts, and manipulate small tools like scissors and pencils. In fact, a 2020 internal review showed that 76% of STJCC’s kindergarten-ready students could independently complete a drawing or handwriting task involving fine precision.

Activities such as virtual “crafting challenges” kept their hands active, which in turn supported cognitive and academic readiness for elementary school.

Strengthened Independence and Responsibility

As children near kindergarten age, independence becomes a cornerstone of development. In 2020, this was especially crucial as many parents juggled work-from-home responsibilities. STJCC reported that 5-year-olds began taking charge of their routines—setting alarms, dressing themselves, and even helping to prepare meals.

These daily responsibilities not only encouraged self-reliance but also promoted time management and basic organizational skills. Children also started showcasing a deeper sense of responsibility toward their surroundings.

In STJCC’s family surveys, more than 70% of caregivers observed their children cleaning up after themselves, tending to plants, or feeding pets without prompting.

This self-motivation stemmed from visual routine charts and daily checklists—tools introduced during the pandemic to instill consistency and accountability. These seemingly small acts laid the groundwork for lifelong executive function skills.

Adapting to Challenges: Pandemic Impact

Despite school closures and social distancing, five-year-olds in 2020 proved incredibly adaptable. STJCC educators noticed that children quickly grasped new digital routines, understood basic health precautions, and managed the emotional fluctuations associated with uncertainty.

A review published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly in November 2020 found that children exposed to structured pandemic learning environments adapted 2x faster than those with unstructured days.

Resilience became a visible trait. Whether it was logging into Zoom classes, adjusting to wearing masks, or managing time without constant adult guidance, five-year-olds learned to bounce back from disruption.

STJCC’s “Mindful Mondays” program, launched mid-2020, included breathing exercises and reflection circles that helped students discuss their fears and joys. Within three months, participation grew by 48%, and behavioral issues in virtual classrooms declined by 35%.

Building Digital Awareness

The digital literacy of five-year-olds saw an unexpected surge in 2020 due to remote schooling. Children learned to mute/unmute themselves, navigate educational apps, and even troubleshoot basic tech issues.

STJCC integrated platforms like Seesaw and Google Meet into their curriculum, and within four weeks, over 85% of enrolled students could independently join a class session. This marked a shift in how digital competence was perceived in early childhood education.

In addition to operational know-how, students started understanding digital responsibility. Children learned the difference between active screen time (interactive lessons) and passive consumption (watching cartoons), an essential distinction in maintaining cognitive health.

A study from Common Sense Media in December 2020 confirmed that 66% of 5-year-olds engaged in daily educational technology were able to identify learning goals during app-based sessions—highlighting a new layer of awareness.

Enabling Environments: Role of Adults

Behind every thriving child is a responsive adult, and 2020 underscored this truth. STJCC credited much of their students’ success to parent–educator collaboration, which saw record-high engagement in the form of virtual parent meetings, home learning guides, and skill-sharing workshops.

Over 1,200 caregivers participated in STJCC’s “Family First Fridays” series, discussing topics from bedtime routines to emotional coaching. Educators also played a pivotal role by adapting curriculum to suit hybrid learning needs.

STJCC implemented “Learning Pods” in Fall 2020, small teacher-led groups that rotated between physical and virtual interactions. This personalized attention allowed children to receive tailored feedback, while maintaining consistency in academic and social experiences.

The outcome was evident: 92% of STJCC five-year-olds met or exceeded their development benchmarks despite global disruptions.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Age Six

As children transition from preschool to elementary education, preparing for age six requires focused efforts. In 2020, STJCC introduced a “Bridge to Kindergarten” program designed to boost confidence and fill academic gaps created during lockdowns.

Activities ranged from structured reading time to collaborative games, enabling children to develop attention spans, task completion habits, and basic numeracy skills. This preparation also involved emotional readiness.

Children were encouraged to reflect on their learning journey and set simple goals—like making a new friend or reading a full book. By December 2020, more than 89% of STJCC five-year-olds had demonstrated school readiness across emotional, social, and cognitive domains.

These outcomes were made possible by consistent feedback loops between teachers, families, and support staff.

Final Thoughts

The accomplishments of five-year-olds in 2020, especially under the STJCC model, showcase the remarkable adaptability and brilliance of young children. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, children displayed resilience, independence, and an eagerness to grow.

These developmental leaps weren’t isolated—they were supported by proactive parents, dedicated educators, and enriched learning environments that made each success possible. Recognizing and nurturing these milestones is not just beneficial for academic success but essential for holistic child development.

As we move beyond the disruptions of 2020, these lessons remain invaluable. They remind us that with the right support systems, even the youngest learners can thrive amid uncertainty—and accomplish truly amazing things.