PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT: Nine to Ten Years |
Normal
Characteristics |
Suggested
Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
Engages in active,
rough-and-tumble play (especially boys); has great
interest in team games. |
Provide many opportunities
to sustain interest. Include team games. |
Has good body control; is
interested in developing strength, skill, and speed;
likes more complicated crafts and work-related tasks. |
Provide opportunities for
developing skills through the use of handicrafts and
active games. |
Girls are beginning to
develop faster than boys. |
Do not compare boys and
girls or force them to interact. Start teaching about
bodily changes. Explain menstruation to both sexes. |
INTELLECTUAL
DEVELOPMENT: Nine to Ten Years |
Normal
Characteristics |
Suggested
Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
Has definite interests and
lively curiosity; seeks facts; capable of prolonged
interest; can do more abstract thinking and reasoning. |
Give specific information
and facts.
Adjust learning opportunities to child's interests and
increased attention span. Do not give all the answers;
allow time to think, meditate, and discuss. |
Individual differences
become more marked. |
Respect and be aware of
individual differences when making assignments and giving
responsibilities. |
Likes reading, writing, and
using books and references. |
Provide opportunities for
reading, writing, and using reference materials; do not
burden the child, however. |
Likes to collect things. |
Help with hobbies. |
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Nine
to Ten Years |
Normal
Characteristics |
Suggested
Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
Boys and girls differ in
personalities, characteristics, and interests; are very
group and club oriented but always with same sex;
sometimes silly within group. |
Accept natural separation of
boys and girls. Recognize and support the need for
acceptance from peer group. |
Boys, especially, begin to
test and exercise a great deal of independence. |
Be warm but firm. Establish
and enforce reasonable limits. |
Is most interested in
friends and social activities; likes group adventures and
cooperative play. |
Encourage friendships and
help child who may have few or no friends. |
MORAL DEVELOPMENT: Nine
to Ten Years |
Normal
Characteristics |
Suggested
Behaviors for Effective Parenting |
Is very conscious of
fairness; is highly competitive; argues over fairness;
has difficulty admitting mistakes but is becoming more
capable of accepting failures and mistakes and taking
responsibility for them. |
Be fair in dealings and
relationships with child. Provide opportunities for
competing, but help child see that losing is a part of
playing. Do not ridicule, but help child learn to take
responsibility for behavior. |
Is clearly acquiring a
conscience; is aware of right and wrong; wants to do
right, but sometimes overreacts or rebels against a
strict conscience. |
Express your love and
support for the child who falls short of meeting your
personal standards of right and wrong. |