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| Child Development |
| Children develop intellectually, physically and socially, step by step, in a progressive manner. Skills are learned gradually as a child moves through the stages of development. In order to provide an age appropriate program with activities that enhance the numerous stages of growth and development in children, the adult should have a good understanding of where the child is coming from, where the child is at currently, and where he or she is heading in the near future, developmentally. The following information will provide a basic overview of patterns of development in the growing child. The 7 Year Old Child The seven year old is beginning to enjoy playing by herself. She loves to color and cut especially. A craft box is a treasure to the seven year old. She can be somewhat obsessive in her play interests. She wants to collect all the Beanie Babies, have all of Barbie's accessories, or action figures. She is able to plan her play better and begins to invent things. She loves arts and crafts and making things. The seven year old loves table and board games and jigsaw puzzles. He is a bit less insistent on winning every time and so will take on more complicated games such as Monopoly and magic tricks. He still loves his bicycle though, and outdoor play is favored over indoors. He loves to watch TV and some movies though he hates anything romantic. He is beginning to read more on his own but parents should continue to read to him whenever they have the opportunity. Patterns of Development a more withdrawn age more likely to complain than rejoice maybe moody withdraws from combat and from other people likes to be alone likes to protect his/her things likes to watch T.V., and listen to radio hands are very busy touching and exploring is becoming more discriminating often demands too much of himself/herself can become suddenly exhausted may feel that everyone else is against him/her shows caution able to print several sentences with individual differences on size of printing makes use of both upper and lowercase letters able to saw a straight line in carpentry able to use both hands at the piano Cognitive Development uses a vocabulary of several thousand words demonstrates a longer attention span uses serious, logical thinking; is thoughtful and reflective able to understand reasoning and make the right decisions can tell time; knows the days, months, and seasons can describe points of similarity between two objects begins to grasp that letters represent the sounds that form words able to solve more complex problems individual learning style becomes more clear-cut Language Development Should have mastered the consonants s-z, r, voiceless th, ch, wh, and the soft g as in George Should handle opposite analogies easily: girl-boy, man-woman, flies-swims, blunt-sharp short-long, sweet-sour, etc Understands such terms as: alike, different, beginning, end, etc Should be able to tell time to quarter hour Should be able to do simple reading and to write or print many words Physical Development The seven year old is becoming more coordinated in his gross motor play, becoming a good swimmer, a good batter, and an expert tree climber hand-eye coordination is well developed has good balance can execute simple gymnastic movements, such as somersaults Social and Emotional Development The seven year old has defiant moments. She wants to know why she has to do something. She may call her mother mean and run to her room to sulk but is less likely to physically strike her parent now. If things don't go her way when playing with friends she will quit and go play by herself. When she is disciplined she accepts it but is deeply disturbed by being in trouble. She doesn't get along that well with her siblings or with other children. She fights and argues. Separating fighting children for a period of time is often required. She usually gets along better during outdoor play rather than indoors. The seven year old is better able to empathize with others. She will cry at a sad story or movie. However, she can control her crying better now and is more likely to cry because she is disappointed or overwhelmed with tension. Overall tensional manifestations are lower at seven. The seven year old wants to be perfect and is very hard on himself when he doesn't live up to his high goals. He only wants to show his parents his 100 papers and is deeply concerned about and ashamed of his mistakes. He doesn't take correction well and will try to hide his mistakes. He is very persistent. Once he starts something he feels he must finish and will become upset if he is not allowed to. He tends to talk non-stop from morning to night, asking question after question to his parents. He is less selfish. He can share better. He wants to be good and to please his parents and teacher. He is proud of his family, his classroom, his abilities. But, he can also be very critical. He likes to plan his day. desires to be perfect and is quite self-critical worries more; may have low self-confidence tends to complain; has strong emotional reactions understands the difference between right and wrong takes direction well; needs punishment only rarely avoids and withdraws from adults is a better loser and less likely to place blame waits for her turn in activities starts to feel guilt and shame Goals Teaching Responsibility: Chore Chart Pick up Toys Fold Dishtowels and Washcloths Match Socks Put small items in the garbage Give food to pets Water indoor plants Load the dishwasher Answer the telephone Sweep a deck/patio/porch Wipe the bathroom sink Put forks and spoons away Put their own clothes in the drawer Sort laundry into color piles Use a hand-held vacuum Take out Garbage Set the table Clear the table Vacuum an area rug Clean the inside of the car Empty the dishwasher Put away clean dry dishes Ideas for Caregivers be ready for mood swings read with/to children discuss things that the children read of have seen allow children to finish what they have started introduce children to music or a musical instrument appeal to the children's sense of values Children learn best by doing. Try to demonstrate instructions for activities or projects. Do projects, games, crafts, or activities in which children use large and small muscles together. Use craft projects that beginners can complete. Do not expect perfection from the children. Encourage cooperative rather than competitive games. Children like to play both cooperative and competitive games. They both help children prepare of the adult world. Help all children feel like winners. Encourage children to collect things like shells, stamps, or flowers. Encourage pretend play because it is still an important learning experience. Make time for running, hopping, skipping, jumping, and climbing. Encourage children to dance or skip to music. Encourage children to talk about their feelings while working or playing together |
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| "The power of imagination makes us infinite."
- John Muir |
| Joke of the Week Knock Knock Who's there? Abbott! Abbott who? Abbott time you answered the door! |