Normal Development: 6 to 11 years

Grand Traverse Children's Clinic, P.C.

3537 W. Front St.<= /st1:address>, Ste. G

Traverse City, MI 496= 84

(231) 935-8822

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Normal Development= : 6 to 11 years old

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Normal Development= : 6 Years Old =

Physical Development

• loves active play= but may tire easily

• can be reckless (= does not understand dangers completely)

• is still improving basic motor skills

• is still not well coordinated

• begins to learn s= ome specific sports skills like batting a ball

• dawdles much of t= he time

• is fascinated wit= h the subject of teeth

• may become a more finicky eater

• uses crayons and = paints with some skill, but has difficulty writing and cutting <= /p>

• may resist baths =

• permanent teeth erupting, both front teeth or molars

Emotional Development

• may have unpredic= table mood swings

• is quite sensitiv= e to criticism

• has a problem adm= itting a mistake

• feels quite guilty about mistakes

Social Development

• evaluates self and friends

• begins to impose = rules on play activities

• cooperates with o= ther children with some difficulty

• has difficulty considering the feelings of others

• values independen= ce

Mental Development

• likes taking responsibility for simple household chores

• likes to make sim= ple decisions

• counts to 100

• asks endless "how-what-when-where-why" questions

• continues to refi= ne concepts of shape, space, time, color, and numbers

• begins to underst= and the difference between intentional and accidental

• begins to underst= and differences of opinion

• still has a short attention span (about 15 minutes maximum)

• &= nbsp; enjoys dramatic play

Normal Development= : 7 Years Old =

Physical Development

• still has better = large muscle than small muscle coordination

• rides a bicycle <= o:p>

• begins to alterna= te rigorous and restful activities independently

• favors competitive games

• has more refined eye-hand coordination

• may ask questions= about life, death, and the human body

• still preoccupied= with subject of teeth

Emotional Development

• becomes better at expressing negative feelings through language

• may blame another= for own mistake

Social Development

• plays with boys a= nd girls together

• usually has a best friend of the same sex

• shows growing con= cern about popularity among peers

• seeks approval of= peers as well as adults

• takes it upon sel= f to enforce rules

• tattles on other children perceived to be misbehaving

• tends to be quite critical

• begins to look for role-models

Mental Development

• experiences rapid language development

• wants to be "first," "best," "perfect," "correct,&qu= ot; in everything

• is greatly concer= ned with right and wrong

• still has difficu= lty with the concepts of honesty and dishonesty

• begins to use log= ical reasoning to solve problems

• &= nbsp; continues to enjoy dramatic play

Normal Development= : 8 Years Old

Physical Development

• Continues to be accident prone, especially on the playground.

• Has more control = over small muscles, and therefore writes and draws with more skill. <= /span>

• Displays a casual attitude toward clothing and appearance.

• Seems to be all h= ands and arms.

• May agonize over = height and weight.

• Seems to possess boundless energy.

Emotional Development

• Begins to realize others experience similar feelings of anger, fear, sadness.

• Is easily embarra= ssed.

• Becomes discourag= ed easily.

• Is often self-deprecating.

Social Development

• Can be argumentat= ive and bossy.

• Can also be quite lovable and responsive.

• Shows increasing ability to understand the needs and opinions of others. <= /p>

• Is preoccupied wi= th finding compatible friends.

• Especially likes = to belong to informal "clubs" formed by children themselves.

• Also likes to bel= ong to more structured adult-led groups such as Scouts.

• Begins to display= a sense of loyalty.

• Enjoys secrets. <= o:p>

• Shows some hostil= ity toward the opposite sex.

• No longer wants to assist in household chores.

Mental Development

• Is often idealist= ic.

• Is keenly interes= ted in projects and collections.

• Is proud of compl= eting tasks.

• &= nbsp; Resists adult guidance at times.

Normal Development= : 9 Years Old =

Physical Development

• acquires greater = small muscle coordination

• has increasing dexterity

• favors active, highly-charged games and sports

• wants to excel in sports and recreational skills

• becomes more inte= rested in clothing and appearance

• laughes at bathro= om humor

Emotional Development

• becomes self-abso= rbed and introspective

• tends to be criti= cal of self

• takes comfort in knowing others experience similar troubling feelings

Social Development

• has ideas and int= erests independent from parents

• does not like any= thing "different"

• wants to talk, dr= ess, and act just like friends

• is involved in in= formal clubs and small groups of the same sex

• begins to just si= t and talk with friends

Mental Development

• uses reference bo= oks with increasing skill

• becomes immersed = in a hobby or project, then drops it for another

• may be a perfecti= onist

• generally follows instructions

• is developing per= sonal standards of right and wrong

• &= nbsp; is highly concerned about fairness

Normal Development= : 10 Years Old

Physical Development

•     physical growth a= nd development varies enormously among this age group

•     is energetic and spirited

•     is usually awkwar= d

•     strives to be physically fit

•     is fascinated wit= h how the body works

•     may be curious ab= out drugs, alcohol, and tobacco

•     continues to reve= l in bathroom humor

Emotional Development

•     fluctuates between dependent child and independent pre-teen

•     becomes increasin= gly self-conscious

Social Development

•     seeks approval for being "good" from significant people

•     becomes preoccupi= ed with the opposite sex

•     relates to peer g= roup intensely and abides by group decisions

•     succumbs to peer pressure more readily

•     does not want to = be "different"

•     continues to participate in small groups of same sex

•     confides constant= ly in best friend

•     can be fickle

Mental Development

•     is eager to learn= and master new skills

•     is proud of doing things well

•     is concerned about personal capabilities

•        &= nbsp;      has internalized standards of right and wrong to some degree<= /p>

Normal Development= : 11 Years Old

Physical Development

•     may experience pubescent growth spurt if female (usually a year or two later for males)

•     may tire easily a= nd appear lazy (growth spurt drains energy)

•     may look out of proportion

•     is preoccupied wi= th and self-conscious about appearance

•     may have an appet= ite that fluctuates sharply

•     enjoys observing = or participating in competitive sports

•     is keenly interes= ted in learning about body changes

•     may be curious ab= out drugs, alcohol, and tobacco

Emotional Development

•     may be experienci= ng sudden, dramatic, emotional changes associated with puberty

•     vacillates between maturity one moment, immaturity the next

•     tends to conceal feelings

•     is hard on self a= nd ultrasensitive to criticism

Social Development

•     wants parental assistance, but may resist when offered

•     is critical of pa= rents

•     is concerned with prestige and popularity

•     likes to belong t= o a group and be like others

•     becomes quite fad= dish

•     spends about twic= e as much time on weekends with friends as with parents

•     friendships may c= hange due to different levels of maturity

•     is acutely aware = of the opposite sex

Mental Development

•     has an increasing attention and concentration span

•     strives to succee= d

•     has strong opinio= ns

•        &= nbsp;      begins to understand the motives behind the behavior of another<= /p>

Each child is unique.= It is therefore difficult to descr= ibe exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's development. While certain attitudes, behaviors= , and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. Consequently, these guidelines are offered as a way of showing a gen= eral progression through the developmental stages rather than as fixed requireme= nts for normal development at specific ages.&n= bsp; It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones later than the general trend. Keep this in mind as you review th= ese milestones.

If you have any conce= rns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your pediatrician or family physician.

Written by Donna Warner Manczak, Ph.D., M.P.H. and Robert Brayden, M.D.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis = or treatment by a healthcare professional.