School-Age Development Through Everyday Interactions
As more families seek after-school Family Managers, understanding the developmental milestones of school-age children is important to add to your toolbox of knowledge. Below are insights into how children develop and what they need to thrive.
Developmental Milestones
- 6-7 years old: This age enjoys staying busy with activities. They may be developing skills through practice such as painting, drawing, jumping rope, or riding bicycles. They can do simple math, read age-appropriate books, tell time, know their right from left, and tie their shoelaces. They can understand 3-step instructions (for example, go in your room, grab your purple shoes, and put them on so we can go for a walk) and can explain objects and their use(s). They like to play board games, they cooperate and share (and can be jealous of others), and friends are becoming more important (same gender is most common). Being a role model is very important, because this age likes to copy adults. Unfortunately, temper tantrums can still occur. Children are also becoming more modest about their bodies, so respecting that privacy is important.
- 8-9 years old: Activities continue to be important and they are getting more graceful with their movements and abilities. Age-appropriate activities include jumping, chasing, arts and crafts, competition and games, clubs and groups, collecting objects, and more reading. Children understand fractions, know the date, can count backward, know the months and days of the week, and can dress and groom themselves. Socially, this group is starting to play with children of the opposite gender and may become interested in boy-girl relationships, but won’t admit it, so it’s wise not to note.
- 10-12 years old: This age writes (letters and stories), draws, paints, crafts, and can read well. They enjoy talking/texting and friends become quite important, so discussing boundaries/rules with parents at this stage is key. They are talkative and increasingly interested in the opposite gender.
Growth and Body Image
Children are steadily growing at these ages, and what is “normal” regarding height, weight, and shape is a wide range. Because children are beginning to have feelings about their bodies (too big, too short, etc.), it is extremely important to be sensitive and emphasize health over looks. Healthy eating habits, enough sleep, and physical activities/exercise make the most of their potential and are the best indicators of a child’s good health (we can’t determine genetics). Avoid pushing kids to eat extra food or get higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients, and rather accept them as they are to help them build self-acceptance and positive mental health.
Physical Activities
School-age children should get at least 1 hour of physical activity daily, most of which should be aerobic such as running, swimming, dancing, etc., as well as muscle- and bone-strengthening such as running, jumping, and playing. Make physical activity part of the daily routine such as walks, parks, playing tag, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and games/sports (balls, hula-hoops, and jump ropes are easy ones for the house). Most importantly, be active together.
Social Intelligence
Children learn social skills in a number of unexpected ways. For instance, when you set limits and guidelines, and enforce the rules and/or penalties, or when you compliment the way they share or cooperate. Compliment their personal achievements (and encouraging them to compliment others), and encourage them to get involved in activities/hobbies that will build their confidence. Encourage children to talk and be open with their feelings, including how to handle peer pressure. Teach them to respect authority figures and model good behavior. Believe it or not, just being fully present is building their skills (e.g., reading together, doing activities together, and talking together).
Incorporating positive habits and recognizing the unique developmental stages of school-age children will allow caregivers to better support their growth, learning, and well-being. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@mbfagency.com.
Sources:
- https://choc.org/primary-care/ages-stages/6-to-12-years/
- https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default%3Fid%3Dthe-growing-child-school-age-6-to-12-years-90-P02278&sa=U&ei=eMq7VNe2I8_4yQSX-oCwAw&ved=0CEIQFjAI&usg=AFQjCNFn5tO-78ISMzUno4_7cO4dCvft1Q