All the DAZE Productions: Child Development

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 Preteen Child
Common characteristics of the Preteen Child are:
- becoming more and more separate from there families and prefer friends to family.
- developing more sophisticated problem-solving skills.
- more able to monitor and control their own behavior.
- adjusting to the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
- having mainly same-sex friends and tend to interact in “cliques” or small, exclusive groups of friends.
- having vague and often unrealistic plans for the future.
- beginning to test the moral system of their parents.

The 10 Year Old
Patterns of Development
a more peaceful age than nine
obeys more easily and naturally
more friendly with family and school
doesn't take things too seriously
a loyal friend and values friendships
enjoys collecting things
more responsible and show individual personality
make personal decisions
is more aware of the wider world
can organize activities for themselves
school work more enjoyable
likes outdoors
tends to exhibit modesty

Cognitive Development
is eager to learn and master new skills
is proud of doing things well
is concerned about personal capabilities
has internalized standards of right and wrong to some degree
still memorizes and recites without thinking deeply about the subject
developing a conscience but not yet consistently able to tell right from wrong; relies upon an adult to
help
aware of time, but needs help to plan time in a practical way
still certain that own beliefs are correct and are universally shared by others

Physical Development
physical growth and development varies enormously among this age group
is energetic and spirited
throw a ball further, run at a faster speed
is usually awkward
strives to be physically fit
is fascinated with how the body works
may be curious about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
continues to revel in bathroom humor
has both skill and stamina for gross motor activities such as biking, skating, and team sports
personality traits may be revealed by posture and movement habits
girls may show signs of approaching puberty: softening and rounding of features , subtle signs of breast
development

Social and Emotional Development
fluctuates between dependent child and independent preteen
becomes increasingly self-conscious
seeks approval for being "good" from significant people
becomes preoccupied with the opposite sex
relates to peer group intensely and abides by group decisions
succumbs to peer pressure more readily
does not want to be "different"
continues to participate in small groups of same sex
confides constantly in a best friend
disposition is generally happy, sometimes silly
respectful and affectionate toward both parents
fears which were previously bothersome are now minimal
may anger quickly but expression of anger differs according to the situation
friendships are quite important; friends are of the same sex
enjoys clubs and group activities
still not interested in the opposite sex
can be fickle

The 11 Year Old
Patterns of Development
is at the threshold of adolescence
is having more an impact of her own life and is making decisions on a daily basis on what he or she is
going to do
likes to be independent but at the same time likes to feel part of a group such as a sporting team
able to think more abstractly and logically
Is starting to experience changes in his/her body, and will need adult support to effectively cope with
these changes, both physical and mental

Cognitive Development
has an increasing attention and a concentration span
strives to succeed
has strong opinions
begins to understand the motives behind the behavior of another
able to use logic in arguments and apply logic to specific, concrete situations
combines oral, visual, and written material in school reports
decision-making skill improves
starts to realize that others may hold beliefs different from own

Physical Development
may experience a pubescent growth spurt if female (usually a year or two later for males)
may tire easily and appear lazy (growth spurt drains energy)
may look out of proportion
is preoccupied with and self-conscious about appearance
may have an appetite that fluctuates sharply
enjoys observing or participating in competitive sports
is keenly interested in learning about body changes
may continue to be curious about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
very active and energetic; constantly wiggles and moves
boys show few outward signs of puberty: may tend to carry more fat than previously , more muscle
development than girls
Girls display more physical changes: development of some soft pubic hair, breast growth is still minimal,
but of great interest
rapid height gains

Social & Emotional Development
may be experiencing sudden dramatic emotional changes associated with puberty
vacillates between maturity one moment, immaturity the next
tends to conceal emotional feelings
is hard on self and ultra sensitive to criticism
wants parental assistance, but may resist when offered
is critical of parents
is concerned with prestige and popularity
likes to belong to a group and be like others
becomes quite faddish
spends about twice as much time on weekends with friends as with parents
may drift from a previous best friend (due to different levels of maturity)
is acutely aware of the opposite sex
tends to be egocentric, critical, and uncooperative
may be tearful, fearful, and full of worries
relationship with mother is particularly thorny
displays anger physically-fights, slams doors, kicks
away from home, behavior is well mannered and quite helpful
friendships are still important, but with more quarrels than before
may have one “best friend”
not actively interested in the opposite sex, but on the verge

12-Year-Olds
Patterns of Development
Is cooperative, enthusiastic, friendly
Smoother relations with parents
If a girl, is very interested in boys and parties and if a boy, is obsessed with food and likes horseplay
Is greatly influences by group behavior and approval either negative or positive

Physical Development
both boys and girls are always hungry
girls are at the peak of physical change: still growing rapidly in height and weight; growth may taper off
toward the end of the year , menstruation is likely to start , breasts fill out , underarm and pubic hair
thickens
boys show a wide range of growth rates: soft pubic hair develops , penis and scrotum enlarge ,
erections are frequent, with or without an obvious cause

Intellectual Development
categorizes information in order to make sense of it
summarizes information from a book in own words
proofreads own work for errors of grammar, spelling, and logic
reads adult newspapers or magazines, particularly those sections about topics of specific interest

Social & Emotional Development
generally pleasant and good natured
very enthusiastic about likes and equally passionate about dislikes
strong need to conform to peers
friendships are calm, without the turmoil seen at eleven.
Shows interest in the opposite sex (girls more than boys)

13-Year-Olds
uncertain, unhappy, and sensitive
withdrawn; spends a lot of time alone; needs privacy
convinced that everyone else is watching and judging
very concerned with body image
self-esteem at a low ebb
not sociable with adults
friendships tend to be group-focused; more squabbling than a year ago

Raising Responsible Teens
Peer pressure move over. There's a more powerful influence in the lives of teens and it's found at home.
While peers undoubtedly influence each other, social science research demonstrates time and time
again that parents actually matter most. However, having parents per se is not the determining factor.
Rather it is the degree to which mom, dad, or guardian actually monitors the teen's behaviour that is a
decisive factor in reducing the risk of pregnancy as well as drug, alcohol, and cigarette use in their teen.
Higher degrees of "parental monitoring" is measured by the parent's knowledge and ability to respond
to these questions:

1. Do you know who your teen's friends are?
2. If your teen is going to be late, does s/he know that you expect him/her to call?
3. Do you know where your teen is and what s/he is doing after school?
4. Does your teen tell you who s/he will be with before they go out?
5. Do you know where your teen is when he or she goes out at night?
6. Do you know how your teen spends his or her money?
7. Do you know the parents of your teen's friends?
8. Do you talk with your teen about the plans s/he has with his/her friends?

Some parents back off from monitoring their teen thinking they are thwarting their teen's independence.
In other situations, the teen may view such questions by their parents as intrusive and may balk, feeling
their parents are demanding and interfering.

There are 3 key things to remember for successful parental monitoring:

1. Parental monitoring works best with parents who already have a reasonable relationship with their
teen. Family members should show mutual respect and there should already be family rules in place
that govern behaviour.

2. Parents must approach the issue of parental monitoring from a point of view of concern, guidance
and respect. Many of the questions are a matter of courtesy and cut both ways. It is reasonable to know
when to expect family members and to know how to contact each other in case of emergency. It is
equally important for children to know where parents are and how children can make contact. This is
simply mutually respectful behavior for planning and safety.

3. Start when your kids are young and be a good role model. If you want to know where your kids are,
always let them know where you are too. Explain and demonstrate from an early age that family
members stay in touch and show concern for each other.

Children and teens develop self-esteem as a result of their parent's involvement in their lives. Parental
monitoring may seem like a pain to some teens, but hey, you only concern yourself with things that are
important. So, parental monitoring isn't about surveillance, it's about caring. That's a good message to
any teen.