Child Development
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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a more withdrawn age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







My Child Development Pages

The Infant:
(0 - 1 Year Old)


The Toddler:
(1- 2 Year Old


The Emerging Preschooler
(2 - 3 Years Old)


The 3 Year Old

The 4 Year Old

The 5 Year Old

The 6 Year Old

The 7 Year Old

The 8 Year Old

The 9 Year Old

The Pre-Teen Child
"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!