Child Development Guide: Seven to Eight Years (continued)
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. |
| Social Development for Six to Seven Years | Social Development for Eight to Nine Years |
| Return to Using the Child Development Guide |
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. |
| Emotional Development for Six to Seven Years | Emotional Development for Eight to Nine Years |
| Return to Using the Child Development Guide |
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. |
| Moral Development for Six to Seven Years | Moral Development for Eight to Nine Years |
| Return to Using the Child Development Guide |
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Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Social and Health Services.
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