School-age children development

Friendships at this age tend to be primarily with members of the same sex. In fact, younger school-age children typically denounce or talk about how "strange" or "awful" members of the opposite sex are. This lack of appreciation of the opposite sex steadily diminishes as the child approaches adolescence.

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Lying, cheating, and stealing are all examples of behaviors that school-age children may "try on" in learning how to negotiate the expectations and rules placed on them by family, friends, school, and society. Such behaviors challenge parents to deal with the misdeed privately (avoiding peer ridicule), applying a punishment that is meaningfully related to the behavior, and modeling reparation and forgiveness.

An ability to maintain attention is important for success both at school and at home. A 6-year-old should be able to focus on an appropriate task for at least 15 minutes. By age 9, a child should be able to focus attention for about an hour.

It is important for the child to learn how to deal with failure or frustration without decreasing self-esteem or developing a sense of inferiority.

SAFETY

Safety is important for school-age children.

School-age children are highly active and have a need for strenuous physical activity, peer approval, and increased daring and adventurous behaviors.
Children should be taught to play sports in appropriate, safe, supervised areas, with proper equipment and rules. Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and other types of recreational sports equipment should fit the child appropriately. They should be used only in accordance with generally recognized traffic and pedestrian rules, and with accompanying safety equipment such as knee, elbow, wrist pads/braces, and helmets. Sports equipment should not be used in darkness or in extreme weather conditions.
Swimming and water safety lessons may help prevent drowning. Safety instruction regarding matches, lighters, barbecues, stoves, and open fires can prevent major burns.
Wearing seatbelts remains the most important way of preventing major injury or death due to a motor vehicle accident.

PARENTING TIPS

If physical development appears to be outside the norm, consult your child's pediatric provider.
If language skills appear to be lagging, request a speech and language evaluation.
Maintain close communication with teachers, other school personnel, and parents of friends to be aware of potential problems as they arise.
Encourage children to express themselves openly and talk about concerns without fear of reprisal.
While encouraging children to participate in a variety of social and physical experiences, parents should be careful not to over-schedule a child's free time. Free play or simple, quiet time is important for the child not to feel constantly pushed to perform.
Children today are exposed, through the media and their peers, to a vast array of issues dealing with violence, sexuality, and substance abuse. Parents are encouraged to discuss these issues openly with their children to share concerns or correct misconceptions. Setting limits may be necessary to ensure children will be exposed to such issues only when they are developmentally ready.