Developmental Tasks
- 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.
Indicators Related to Developmental Lag
- 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. |
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. |
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Seven to Eight Years
|
| Normal Characteristics |
Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
| Will avoid and withdraw from adults; has strong emotional responses to teacher; may complain that teacher is unfair or mean. |
Show understanding and concern. |
| Likes more responsibility and independence. Is often concerned about doing well. |
Assign responsibilities and tasks that can be carried out, and then praise child's efforts and accomplishments. Help child accept own performance. |
| Participates in loosely organized group play. |
Encourage appropriate social interaction. |
| Concerned with self and others' reactions. May fear being late; may have trouble on the playground; "kids are cheating" or "teacher picks on me" often said. |
Help child evaluate his or her perceptions of others' behaviors. |
| May use aggression as a means to solve problems. |
Attempt to prevent conflicts before they erupt. |
| Starts division of sexes (girls play with girls/boys with boys). |
Encourage nontraditional gender based activities. |
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Seven to Eight Years
|
| Normal Characteristics |
Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
| May complain a lot ("Nobody likes me," "I'm going to run away," etc.). |
Provide reasonable sympathy. |
| May not respond promptly or hear directions; may forget; is easily distracted. |
Remind and check as necessary. |
| May withdraw or not interact with others, in an attempt to build a sense of self. |
Provide personal support and reassurance. |
MORAL DEVELOPMENT: Seven to Eight Years
|
| Normal Characteristics |
Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
| May experience guilt and shame. |
Acknowledge and support child's standards and discuss reasonableness of child's expectations. Encourage the child to be self-forgiving.
Focus on the worth of an individual rather than on behavior. Then work on changing the behavior. |
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Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Social and Health Services.
photo by:
leedsyorkshire 
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