As children transition from early childhood into the school-age years, they experience significant growth and development across various domains. Recognizing the developmental milestones, enables parents, caregivers or teachers to have a clue on a particular aspect that may require more time and attention. Here we have discussed the development milestone of a school-age child and all the related aspects in detail. 

Physical Milestones

The school age starting from the age of six years to the age of twelve years also experience growth and development of their motor skills. Here are some of the physical milestones to expect.

Height and Weight

School-age children keep on growing steadily and averaged a gain of 2.5” in height and 5 to 7 pounds in weight at each year of age. This period is characterised by the gradual elongation of the limbs and, hence, a body shape that would look more balanced.

Fine Motor Skills

In this age group, children improve on fine motor mastery or control to some extent. They get full of skills such as writing, drawing, using scissors, and tying shoelaces among others. Many children at the age of 7 or 8 are able to write reasonably well and more importantly, are able to write legibly. Children of age group 9 to 10 years are capable of handling more complicated tasks such as using tools, playing musical instruments and others.

Gross Motor Skills

Stress is reduced and repetitive strain injuries decrease or are totally eliminated when performing activities such as working at a computer or using a phone or fax machine. Such activities allow children to perform more tasks like cycling, swimming and dancing among others. They also build more strength and stamina in order to partake in more and more elaborate and longer physical activities.

Dental Development

In school age, children develop caries as they lose their milk teeth for permanent teeth. This process usually takes place at 6-12 years of age, although it might begin a bit earlier, as mentioned above.  This is the right time that one should pay more attention to dental checkups and proper dental hygiene.

Cognitive Milestones

During the school-age years, there is an improved thought process, understanding and capacity to solve problems. Here are the cognitive milestones you can expect.

Logical Thinking and Problem Solving

In this stage, children think in a more logical manner and they develop the capacity to reason and understand cause and effect. They can undertake higher-order tasks and are able to reason from plans and schemata. This is the time when the child begins to understand things in the abstract form, for instance time, money and rules of games.

Language and Communication

More words are learnt and children learn how best to present their ideas as they grow older. They can process more complicated types of grammar, comprehend discussions and debates, and perform tasks which require following several commands. At such an age, children, most often, fully develop the abilities of an independent reader and even more profound and detailed preparation for receiving text information.

Memory and Concentration

CAS improves the memory and concentration of school-age children. They are able to retain information for long and be able to use it in other unfamiliar contexts. This is so important to foster as a child is expected to learn more in school, which requires cognitive development to capture and store this info.

Understanding Rules and Fair Play

Children in this age group show increased fairness and justice issues. They know about the existence of rules; they can play games which presuppose cooperation and understand the concept of turn-taking. They also begin to see things from other people’s point of view and are capable of complex social interactions.

Emotional and Social Milestones

Emotional and social development is one of the very important points for a child’s development during the school age. Here are the milestones to look for in a school-age child. 

Self-Identity and Independence

With age, children classify themselves in one way or another and become much more aware of themselves. Depending on their ages, they get more self-reliant and learn to do tasks like doing homework, assisting in chores around the house, and organizing their items. They also gain their own attitude and may have a disposition in favour of some specific interest or occupation.

Emotional Regulation

School-age children are also better placed to understand feelings and emotions. They are able to articulate themselves better in terms of how to communicate inappropriate actions and emotions such as frustrations, disappointments and the whole work. They also begin to embark on empathy and can comprehend and describe the point of view of others' emotions.

Friendships and Social Skills

More so, peer relationships start being very vital at this stage of life. Also, children develop multiple and more complex friendships and/or gain ideas on group interactions. They acquire good communication skills, teamwork, and bargaining besides having to practice how to settle disputes which are all vital in human relations.

Moral Development

Morality development reached a new level, since children gain a perspective of their own about right and wrong that is imposed. They may start developing guilt or pride within their actions and thus are inclined to contemplate about the repercussions of their behaviour.

Tracking Progress and Growth

It is essential to keep a check on your child’s progress so that he or she can achieve developmental milestones. Here are some ways to track the progress of a school-age child. 

Regular Health Check-Ups

Subsequent visits to the paediatrician are useful in assessing various aspects of the child’s physical development for instance height, and weight among other aspects such as dental health. These check-ups also give a chance to voice any questions, fears, or worries relating to a child’s intellectual or emotional progress.

Academic Performance

Always monitor your child’s performance in their school. It is important to monitor how they do their homework, comprehend lessons and engage in class activities. In this way, teachers can be also helpful if you would like to receive some recommendations concerning the further development of thinking and interpersonal skills of your child.

Observing Social Interactions

This shows how your child carries themselve around other children and other people in the society. Positive social development entails improvement in social well-being, the capacity to gain and maintain friends and even the manner in which the child communicates.

Engaging in Conversations

Always make your child explain an episode or anything they feel, experienced or thought about. It not only makes your relationship become stronger but also allows you to understand them in terms of their emotional and intellectual growth.

Knowledge of developmental tasks of school-age children assists those caring for and nurturing the child to ensure that they are well supported and encouraged as they grow. In this way, a parent or caregiver is able to monitor the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development progress, and more importantly identify some of the positive developmental aspects in a child as he or she grows up to become a confident, competent, and well-adjusted person. Every child is different, and the growth rates may differ as well, but if you are there and help them, they will succeed in these important years of their lives.