What behavior might a five-year-old exhibit following a significant family change?

A five-year-old may exhibit behaviors such as bedwetting and thumb-sucking following a significant family change due to the stress and uncertainty that can accompany such transitions. Young children often lack the emotional vocabulary or coping skills to express their feelings about family changes, such as a divorce or a new sibling. Therefore, regressive behaviors can manifest as a way of coping with the anxiety and emotional upheaval they are experiencing.

These behaviors, functioning as a return to earlier developmental stages, serve as comfort mechanisms that remind the child of a time when they felt more secure and less burdened by adult concerns. Such regressions are not uncommon and highlight the impact of stress on a child's emotional well-being.