Typical Development in Childhood
Physical Development
Childhood begins at the age of 6 and progresses until between the ages of 10 and 11. During this time, children experience many changes physically, mentally and socially. Their bodies change and grow and their minds become more focused on activities of their own interests.
“Children grow an average of 2 to 3 inches a year until at the age of 11, the average girl is 4 feet 10 ¼ inches tall and the average boy is 4 feet 9 inches tall.” (Santrock, 2008) Their weight, muscle mass and strength all increase during these years and their physical abilities improve. They are able to “bend and reach” (Rogers & Holm, 2008) for objects and perform “skilled purposeful movements” (Rogers & Holm, 2008) meaning perform activities based on what they have learned.
“During middle and late childhood, children’s motor skills become much smoother and more coordinated than they were in early childhood.” (Santrock, 2008) They have the abilities to use their muscle strength the engage in more physical activities. Fine motor skills, which are smaller movements of the hand and fingers become increasingly complex as they are able to perform activities such as writing with a pen or pencil or creating small crafts.
For more information on the developing child and what parents can do to promote physical activity visit http://extension.missouri.edu/p/GH6235
“Children grow an average of 2 to 3 inches a year until at the age of 11, the average girl is 4 feet 10 ¼ inches tall and the average boy is 4 feet 9 inches tall.” (Santrock, 2008) Their weight, muscle mass and strength all increase during these years and their physical abilities improve. They are able to “bend and reach” (Rogers & Holm, 2008) for objects and perform “skilled purposeful movements” (Rogers & Holm, 2008) meaning perform activities based on what they have learned.
“During middle and late childhood, children’s motor skills become much smoother and more coordinated than they were in early childhood.” (Santrock, 2008) They have the abilities to use their muscle strength the engage in more physical activities. Fine motor skills, which are smaller movements of the hand and fingers become increasingly complex as they are able to perform activities such as writing with a pen or pencil or creating small crafts.
For more information on the developing child and what parents can do to promote physical activity visit http://extension.missouri.edu/p/GH6235
Cognitive Development
During these years children’s brains become more stabilized and they begin to develop skills that involve a more logical way of thinking. They start to use their minds and begin to think creatively and critically. “Creative thinking is the ability to think in novel and unusual ways and come up with unique solutions to problems.” (Santrock, 2008) In other words their minds begin to look at their world in broader ways and they use their imagination to explore their creative abilities. “Critical thinking involves thinking reflectively and evaluating evidence.” (Santrock, 2008) Children are able to reflect on past experience and understand punishment for their actions. "They are learning to plan ahead and evaluate what they do." (Santrock, 2008) Other areas that begin to develop more productively include their intelligence, their language development and reading skills.
Social Development
When your child reaches ages 6-11, they begin to develop relationships with others outside of his/her family. By attending school, after school activities or getting involved in sports, they begin to get acquanted with other children with the same or similar interests. "Engaging in positive interactions with peers, resolving conflicts with peers in nonaggressive ways, and having quality friendships in middle and late childhood not only have positive outcomes at this time in children's lives, but also are linked to more positive relationship outcomes in adolescence and adulthood." (Santrock, 2008)