Child Development Guide: Seven to Eight Years

To develop a sense of accomplishment centered around the ability to learn and apply skills, deal with peers, competition, self-control, and greater physical strength.
To develop and test values and beliefs, which guide present and future behaviors.

Excessive concerns about competition and performance, especially in school; extreme rebellion; teasing; whining; headaches; nervous stomach; ulcers; nervous tics; consistent unconcern with completion of tasks (procrastination); overdependence on caregivers for age-appropriate tasks, e.g., combing hair, going to the store, tying shoes, finding a restroom in a restaurant; social isolation; lack of friends and involvements; few interests; inappropriate relationships with "older" people, e.g., teenagers; stealing; pathological lying; bedwetting; fire-setting.

Note: Although these tasks and indicators may be present during ages 7 to 12, each may be more observable at specific times.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: Seven to Eight Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Drives self until exhausted.	Assist child in changing activity to avoid complete exhaustion; be aware of child's physical limits.
May frequently pout.	Be patient, as child may not necessarily unhappy or dissatisfied, but is going through a stage.
Now has well-established hand-eye coordination and is likely to be more interested in drawing and printing.	Provide opportunities and materials for drawing and printing.
May have minor accidents.	Have plenty of fun band-aids on hand.
Is less interested in sex play and experimentation; can be very excited about new baby in family.	Encourage child-infant relationship, if present.
Has fewer illnesses but may have colds of long duration; appetite is decreasing.	Fine tune your supportive bedside manner.
May develop nervous habits or assume awkward positions, e.g., sitting upside down on the couch, constant foot tapping.	Be patient with annoying habits, and do not draw attention to awkwardness.

Physical Development for Six to Seven Years	Physical Development for Eight to Nine Years
Return to Using the Child Development Guide

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT: Seven to Eight Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Is eager for learning. Uses reflective, serious thinking. Thoughts can be based on logic; child can solve more complex problems. Attention span is good.	Ask many thought-provoking questions. Stimulate thinking with open-ended stories, riddles, thinking games, discussions. Give many opportunities for decision making and selecting what he/she would do in particular situations.
Enjoys hobbies and skills. Likes to collect things and talk about personal projects, writings, and drawings.	Encourage the pursuit of hobbies and interests.
Favors reality.	Add stories that deal with reality. Provide biographies to read.
Likes to be challenged, to work hard, and to take time completing a task.	Give challenges that are appropriate for level of ability; allow plenty of time to accomplish a task.

Intellectual Development for Six to Seven Years	Intellectual Development for Eight to Nine Years
Return to Using the Child Development Guide

Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Social and Health Services.

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