It is undeniable that every phase of a person’s life holds significant importance, but the period between six and twelve years old – known as the schooling age – is marked by the most profound social, physical, emotional, and mental changes.
During this period, parents also share in their children’s educational experiences, whether it’s watching them construct projects, perform a poem, try new activities, or participate in sports, creating many memorable moments.
As children progress into their teenage years, parents observe new abilities emerging in their school-aged children, such as fine motor skills and a growing sense of independence.
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
MILESTONES AT DIFFERENT AGES
The schoolers’ stage can be further divided into three age brackets based on developmental milestones they achieve-
Other characteristics are mentioned below –
- Understand the day and night concept
- Briefly understand the concept of time
- Comprehend the basic objects around and can also tell their uses
- Can read books that are meant for this age group
- Distinguish between left/right feet and hands
The process of bringing up school-aged children can be a delightful experience. At this stage, parents may observe that their children often have a penchant for outdoor activities and remain engaged in various pursuits.
Among these activities, children may enjoy riding bicycles, jumping rope, painting, and drawing. Additionally, school-aged children may also demonstrate skills such as basic arithmetic (addition and subtraction), and even the ability to tie their own shoelaces at the beginner level.
Some other characteristics of this age bracket are –
- Can count the numbers backwards
- Will comprehend the concept of date
- Can name months in their order
Several schoolers exhibit interest in the collection of objects.
The next age group within the school-aged range encompasses children between 8 and 9 years old.
During this stage, children are capable of various physical activities such as jumping, skipping, and running around. They can also dress themselves with ease and may demonstrate an aptitude for handling tools like hammers and pliers.
Furthermore, children in this age group tend to have a deeper understanding of both verbal and nonverbal communication, which enables them to comprehend and respond appropriately to different types of messages.
playing chess, guitar, riding hoverboard, skating, playing basketball etc.
Some other features of schoolers –
- Height – Schoolers have a wide range of “accepted and normal” heights. Studies show that a schooler tends to gain a height of about 2 to 2.5 inches every year. However, there are exceptions to this.
- Weight – Schoolers have an addition of 2 to 3 kgs per year, and again, there are exceptions to it.
The final age range of the school-aged period spans two years, during which children tend to enjoy socializing with their peers.
At this stage, children’s self-esteem tends to be at its highest, and they relish opportunities to communicate with friends via phone or in person. Their reading and writing skills are also well-developed, and they have honed their listening abilities.
Moreover, children in this age group often participate in various extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and arts, to explore their interests and enhance their skills.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLERS
The physical development of school-aged children, typically ranging from 6 to 12 years old, is marked by significant changes and improvements in their motor skills, strength, and coordination. Some key features of physical development during this period are:
- Gross Motor Skills: School-aged children’s gross motor skills continue to develop, and they become more proficient at activities that involve large muscle groups, such as running, jumping, climbing, and throwing.
- Fine Motor Skills: Children’s fine motor skills also improve significantly during this period, and they become more adept at tasks that require precision and dexterity, such as writing, drawing, and manipulating small objects.
- Height and Weight: School-aged children experience steady growth in height and weight, with boys tending to be slightly taller and heavier than girls.
- Strength and Endurance: Children’s strength and endurance increase, allowing them to engage in more physically demanding activities for longer periods of time.
- Vision and Hearing: Children’s vision and hearing tend to be fully developed by this age, and regular check-ups should be conducted to ensure that these senses are functioning properly.
- Health and Nutrition: A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for optimal physical development during this period. Parents should encourage their children to eat a balanced diet and engage in physical activity regularly.
Overall, the physical development of school-aged children is a crucial aspect of their growth and development, and parents should be mindful of promoting healthy habits and supporting their children’s physical development.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLERS
Social and emotional development is a critical aspect of school-aged children’s growth and development, as they continue to learn and refine their social skills, emotional regulation, and self-concept. Here are some key features of social and emotional development during this period:
- Peer Relationships: School-aged children start to form close friendships and engage in more complex social interactions with their peers. They learn important social skills such as cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy.
- Self-Esteem: Children’s self-esteem tends to be at its peak during this period, as they gain a sense of mastery over various skills and activities. Parents can help boost their children’s self-esteem by providing opportunities for them to succeed and offering positive feedback and praise.
- Emotional Regulation: Children’s ability to regulate their emotions continues to develop during this period. They learn to identify and express their feelings in socially acceptable ways, and parents can help by modeling healthy emotional expression and providing guidance and support when their children are struggling.
- Behavior Management: Children’s behavior becomes more goal-directed and less impulsive during this period, and they learn to follow rules and social norms. Parents can help by providing clear expectations and consequences, reinforcing positive behavior, and setting appropriate limits.
- Self-Concept: Children’s sense of self becomes more complex and nuanced during this period, as they begin to define themselves in terms of their personal strengths, interests, and values. Parents can support their children’s self-concept by encouraging their individuality and providing opportunities for self-discovery and self-expression.
Overall, social and emotional development is a crucial aspect of school-aged children’s growth and development. Parents can support their children’s social and emotional development by providing a supportive and nurturing environment, modeling healthy social and emotional behaviors, and offering guidance and support when needed.
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COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLERS
Cognitive development refers to the mental processes involved in learning, thinking, and problem-solving, and school-aged children experience significant cognitive growth and development during this period. Here are some key features of cognitive development during this phase:
- Increased Attention Span: School-aged children’s attention span increases, allowing them to concentrate on tasks for longer periods of time and engage in more complex mental activities.
- Memory and Learning: Children’s memory and learning abilities improve during this period, allowing them to acquire and retain new information more effectively. They also become more independent learners, taking more responsibility for their own learning.
- Language and Communication: Children’s language and communication skills continue to develop, with improved vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. They also become more skilled at communicating with others, using language to express their thoughts and feelings.
- Logical Reasoning: School-aged children become more proficient at logical reasoning and problem-solving, using their cognitive skills to understand cause-and-effect relationships and develop solutions to problems.
- Abstract Thinking: Children’s ability to think abstractly improves, allowing them to understand and manipulate concepts that are not immediately present in their environment.
- Metacognition: School-aged children begin to develop metacognitive skills, such as self-reflection and self-evaluation, which allow them to monitor and regulate their own cognitive processes.
Overall, school-aged children’s cognitive development is marked by significant growth and refinement in their mental processes, which has important implications for their academic success and lifelong learning. Parents can support their children’s cognitive development by providing opportunities for exploration, learning, and problem-solving, and by fostering a love of learning and intellectual curiosity.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOLERS
Participation in extracurricular activities can have many benefits for school-aged children, including developing new skills, building social connections, improving physical health, and fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. Here are some examples of extracurricular activities that schoolers may enjoy:
SPORTS
Schoolers can participate in team sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, or individual sports such as swimming, gymnastics, or martial arts.
MUSIC AND ARTS
Schoolers can join a school band or choir, take private lessons in music or dance, or participate in school drama productions.
SCOUTING
Scouts programs, such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, offer opportunities for schoolers to develop outdoor skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork.
ACADEMICS CLUB
Schoolers can join academic clubs such as math club, science club, or robotics club to enhance their academic knowledge.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering for community service can help schoolers develop compassion and empathy, leadership, and teamwork skills.
ART AND CRAFT
Schoolers can participate in art and craft activities such as painting, drawing, pottery, or knitting to unleash their creative side.
Parents can support their children in exploring and finding extracurricular activities that they enjoy and are passionate about. Encouraging them to try new things, supporting them in their interests, and providing transportation and other resources can help schoolers develop their extracurricular skills and interests.
In conclusion, the schoolers age group, which typically ranges from six to twelve years old, is a crucial period for physical, cognitive, and social development. Schoolers undergo significant changes and challenges during this phase, including rapid physical growth, new academic challenges, and navigating social relationships.
Parents and caregivers play an essential role in supporting schoolers’ development by providing a healthy and nurturing environment, encouraging extracurricular activities and social connections, and fostering positive self-esteem and emotional development.
By understanding the unique characteristics and needs of schoolers, parents can better support and guide their children through this critical period of growth and development, setting them up for success in the years to come.