LATE CHILDHOOD

AGES 6-12

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Preadolescence:
Development slow but steady
Weight gain averages 5-7 lbs/year
Muscle coordination well developed
Most of primary teeth lost,
permanent teeth erupt
Visual acuity at its best
10-12 sexual maturation may begin

Mental Development
Increases rapidly due to
school
Speech more developed,
reading and writing skills
are learned
Memory becomes more
complex and problem solving
skills begin to develop

Mental cont
Abstract ideas, such as honesty,
loyalty become more understood
More ability to make judgments

Emotional Development
Age 6: fearful of school, but
reassurance and successes help
children gain self confidence.
Fears are replaced by ability to
cope
Emotions are brought under
control.

Emotional cont
By age 10-12: sexual maturation
can lead to periods of depression
followed by periods of joy. This
causes restlessness, anxiety, and
makes kids sometimes difficult
to understand

Emotional Development
By age 10-12: sexual maturation
can lead to periods of depression
followed by periods of joy. This
causes restlessness, anxiety, and
makes kids sometimes difficult
to understand

Social Development
Around 7 years: more individual
oriented..like to do activities by
themselves. Parental approval is
very important.
8-10: more group oriented,
usually of the same sex.

Social cont
10-12: Make friends easier,
increasing awareness of opposite
sex, dependence on parents
lessen. Less time spent with
family, more with peers.