Are you familiar with the developmental stages of children?

All children go through developmental stages as they grow up. Although there are general characteristics at each developmental stage, how quickly a child goes through these stages depends on many factors including personality and environment. Here are common characteristics of the developmental stages by age.

Age 6: The bodies, minds, and social behavior of six-year olds are changing dramatically. Sixes have lots of energy. Eagerness, curiosity, imagination, drive, openness, and enthusiasm–all are at their peak in the typical six-year old.

Age 7: In contrast to noisy sixes, seven-year olds are generally quiet, sensitive, and serious. Their intense moods often change quickly. Sevens tend to work hard at everything they do and need private time to manage their new thoughts and feelings.

Age 8: Enthusiastic and imaginative, eights often love big challenges but lack the work skills and patience to complete their plans. Children this age need adult help to know their limits and work through the steps to their goal.

Age 9: The enthusiasm of eight often turns into brooding and worrying at nine. Nines tend to be critical of the world around them–nothing seems fair to a nine-year old. But nine can also be a time of budding intellectual curiosity. Children this age look hard for explanations of how things work and why things happen as they do.

Age 10: Ten-year olds are generally happy and relaxed, enjoying themselves, their peers, and parents. Proud of all they have accomplished, they like to share their knowledge with others. Tens usually do well with group projects because they tend to be calm and naturally cooperative.

Age 11: Elevens are going through huge changes in their bodies, minds, and social behavior as they begin adolescence. The easy friendliness of ten often gives way to awkward, sometimes rude behavior at eleven. With their growing capacity for higher thinking, children this age like to try work that feels grown up.

Mr. Kudo and Mrs. Kāneakua share this information because understanding the developmental stages really can help you support your child’s learning at home and at school. Remember, enjoy your child at each age.

From: Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4 – 14