How forgetful is an average 5.5 year old?

[CottonSock]

This morning I ask her to get dressed, she takes pj bottoms off then forgets what's she's doing.

Ask her to brush her teeth, she goes upstairs but forgets why and washes her hands.

I put school lunch money in her hand on mini bus at start of 5 min drive to school. She's forgotten on arrival.

No reading came home this week, as she forgot.

So is this typical? She seems quite tired at the moment.

Typical for some. Not for others. I have two DD's and the elder would remember sequential instructions from an early age...but my youngest wasn't as adept at it. Is she ok in general at school?

My DD, just turned six, is similar. Almost daily she leaves something at school - lunch bag, coat, jumper, PE shoes. And forgets to bring it back the next day.

Does she have an amazing memory stuff you were hoping she’d forget - like the fact you promised ice cream on for Saturday dinner back on Monday? If so i’d say very normal!

Ds is nearly 7 and like this. His forgetting can be quite selective mind! He will remember what I said 7 months ago on a Tuesday when it was a full moon if I promised him sweets..... going downstairs to put his shoes on in the morning though?! Whole other level of memory required for that!

Laughing at the above, I'm sure she would also remember a promise of sweets or chocolate. Sometimes I feel her 2.5 year old sister follows instructions better.
She also forgets to use toilet, which leads to accidents. I think most of the time she is in fairy land.
She can seem so vacant sometimes though, I will ask at parents eve this week if anything stands out.

Do this test, let her bring home some recycled shite from the making corner, you know.... a robot made out of all the boxes you've been trying to get rid of but allowed to clutter up the kitchen for a month at school's request.
Then move it while she sleeps. Don't actually put it in the recycling bin unless you're a total masochist. Hide it in the shed.
Tomorrow morning does she remember it and cry that it's gone (whilst also forgetting to brush her teeth, despite being asked a dozen times)?
If so, you have a normal child.

Could you do a cartoon checklist for her, rather than just one overall instruction.
Have a look at the free download one here for inspiration on getting dressed.
www.growinghandsonkids.com/improving-following-directions-getting-dressed-kids.html

Try the same for any tasks she needs to do several steps with.

Thanks blanktimes, we did try that last year. It really did help her remember which tasks she had to do, now she's forgetting them half way. I think I'll try it again though.

I think this may be due to school stress and her heads just somewhere else in the mornings. maybe ask her teacher if she's like this at school too? sorry I'm not of much help! gd luck hun x

I wouldn’t give a 5 yr old lunch money to be responsible for unless it was in her book bag in an envelope!