The 6-Year-Old

Six-year-old children are bursting with energy and are always on the go. They soon become overtired, and it is necessary to set limits to their activities. Although they like to start tasks, they do not always finish them because their attention span is fairly brief. They tend to be bossy and sometimes rude, but they are sensitive to criticism. Sex investigations begun in earlier years may persist. Their conscience is active, and they find it difficult to make decisions.

One of the most obvious physical changes at this age is the loss of the temporary teeth. The important 6-year molars also erupt. Six-year-old children can jump rope, throw and catch a ball, and tie shoelaces. They perform numerous other feats that require muscle coordination. Their language differs from that of the preschool child. These children use language for a purpose rather than for the pure joy of talking. Their vocabulary consists of about 2500 words. They need 11 to 13 hours of sleep a night.

Although 6-year-old children begin to show a preference for associating with children of the same gender, boys and girls do still play together at this age. Certain activities, such as imaginative play, are common to both genders. Most children enjoy collecting objects that catch their fancy, such as leaves, stones, and shells. Play at this time usually reflects events that occur in the immediate environment.

Six-year-old children need time and support to help them adjust to school. If they have nursery school or kindergarten experience, the transition may be more comfortable. Most children go to school expecting the same atmosphere they are accustomed to at home. For example, if parents are critical or overly protective, children automatically assume that the teacher will be too. When the experience at school differs markedly from their expectations, they feel insecure and may be hostile toward the teacher. Parents need to observe children for signs of fatigue and stress. Although they have reached the appropriate age, not all children are ready for school. Children who are ready for school still need time and support from parents and teachers before they can settle down and become completely comfortable in the classroom. At school, the child is also exposed more frequently to infection. Preschool immunizations and a physical examination are indicated.

The 7-Year-Old

Children at 7 years of age are generally less of a problem than they were at 6 years. It is a quieter age, and the child does not go looking for trouble. Some educators have noted that second graders are the easiest to teach. They set high standards for themselves and for their family, have a good sense of humor, tend to enjoy teasing (wiggle loose teeth to annoy adults), and are a little more modest than they were at an earlier age. They enjoy being active but can also appreciate periods of rest. The second grader may acquire a “crush” on a friend of the opposite gender.

These children know the months and seasons of the year. They also begin to tell time. They have a beginning concept of arithmetic, can count by twos and fives, and know that money is valuable. Their hands are steadier. Interest in God and heaven is heightened.

Active play is still important to both genders (Figure 9-2). The boys are more apt to tease the girls than to participate in such games as jump rope or tag. Both genders enjoy bike riding and table games. Realistic toys, such as dolls that can be bathed and fed or trains that back up and whistle, appeal to the 7-year-old. Comic books are also popular (Figure 9-3). Becoming increasingly independent, these children imagine themselves accomplishing feats more adventurous than those of their parents.

The 8-Year-Old

The 8-year-old wants to do everything and can play alone for longer periods than a 7-year-old. Work is usually creative. Group activities such as Brownies and Cub Scouts are enjoyed, and companions of the same gender are preferred. Group fads begin to appear. Eight-year-olds like to be considered important, particularly by adults. They may behave better for company than for the family. Hero worship is evident.

The arms and hands of the 8-year-old seem to grow faster than the rest of the body. The large and small muscles are better developed, and movements are smoother and more graceful. The child can write rather than only print. The child also understands that a certain number of days must pass before special events, such as Christmas, birthdays, or discharge from the hospital, can occur.

Competitive sports are enjoyed, but the child is generally a poor loser. Long involved arguments occur over decisions made by referees. Wrestling is frequent, and dramatic play is popular. Most children like to be the hero or heroine of their favorite program. Neighborhood secret clubs are organized, and all members must pay strict attention to the rules.

The 9-Year-Old

The 9-year-old is dependable and is not as restless as the 8-year-old child. More interest is shown in family activities, and more responsibility is assumed for personal belongings and for younger brothers and sisters. Tasks are also more likely to be completed. Children resist adult authority if it does not coincide with their opinions or ideals. They are, however, more able to accept criticism regarding their actions. Individual differences are pronounced.

Worries and mild compulsions are common. Children avoid cracks in the pavement: “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.” They realize that these actions are senseless but still feel obliged to repeat them. Nervous habits may also appear and may widely vary; nail biting is one example. The child should not be scolded for such actions because they are caused primarily by tension. Nervous habits usually disappear when home and social life become more relaxed.

Hand-eye coordination is well developed, and manual activities are managed with skill. The child works and plays hard and often becomes overtired. About 10 hours of sleep a night are needed. The permanent teeth are still erupting.

Competitive sports, reading, listening to music, and watching television and movies are popular. Contact sports should be limited to minimize permanent growth-related injuries (Figure 9-4). The child begins to develop interests such as music and may desire to take lessons. Children know the date, can repeat months of the year in order, can multiply, and do simple division. They take care of their bodily needs, and by now table manners have considerably improved.

The 10-Year-Old

This marks the beginning of the preadolescent years. Girls are more physically mature than boys. The child begins to show self-direction, is courteous to adults, and thinks quite clearly about social problems and prejudices. Although 10-year-olds want to be independent and resent being told what to do, they are receptive to suggestion. The ideas of the group are more important than individual ideas. Interest in sex and sex investigations continue.

Girls are often more poised than boys. Both genders are fairly reliable about household duties. Slang terms are used. The 10-year-old can write for a relatively long period of time and maintains a good writing speed. The child uses fractions and knows numbers over 100. Boys and girls begin to identify themselves with skills that pertain to their particular gender role. There is an intolerance of the opposite gender. The play enjoyed by the 10-year-old is similar to that enjoyed by the 9-year-old. In addition, the child takes more interest in appearance.

The 11- to 12-Year-Old

Adjectives that describe this age group include intense, observant, all-knowing, energetic, meddlesome, and argumentative. This period before the onset of puberty is one of complete disorganization. It may begin earlier in some children than others because the onset and rate of physical maturity greatly vary. Before the end of this period, the hormones of the body begin to influence physical growth. Posture is poor. There are 24 to 26 permanent teeth.

The child has an overabundance of energy and is constantly on the go. Girls become “tomboyish” in their actions. Table manners are a thing of the past, and the refrigerator is constantly emptied. Children this age are less concerned with appearance. They seem to be preoccupied a great deal of the time. This, along with physical activities and numerous anxieties, partially accounts for the decline in school grades. Ability to concentrate decreases and parents complain that the children “never hear anything.” When asked to do a new task, they moan and groan.

Groups of friends are still important (Figure 9-5). They are not ready to stand alone, but they cannot bear the thought of depending on their parents. They insist that they must overcome their problems without parental help. Their attitude implies, “Can’t you see that I’m not a child anymore?”