Physical and Motor
6-8 years: steady growth (2-3 inches/year, 4-7 lbs/year), loses primary teeth, gains coordination, rides bike, ties shoes, prints, cursive. 9-12 years: prepubertal growth spurt (girls earlier than boys), develops coordination, team sports. Motor: fine motor improves (writing, drawing, sports), gross motor (running, jumping, swimming). Physical: 20/20 vision, permanent teeth, immune system matures. BMI tracking — childhood obesity risk.
Cognitive and Social
Cognitive: concrete operational (Piaget) — logical thinking about concrete objects, conservation, reversibility, classification. Industry: Erikson industry vs inferiority — develop competence, succeed at tasks, peer comparison. Social: friends important, same-sex peer groups, team activities, rules and fairness, understands rules can be changed by consensus. Moral: conventional — follow rules because they are socially important. Fears: real-world (injury, school performance, social acceptance), less magical thinking. Self-esteem: influenced by success, peer acceptance, adult feedback.
Parent Education
Safety: sports injuries (protective gear), pedestrian, bicycle (helmets), water (swimming, boating), fire (smoke detectors, escape plan), car seat (booster until 4 foot 9 inches, 8-12 years), firearms (locked, unloaded). School: involvement, homework support, communication with teachers, bullying (identify, intervene, support). Screen time: 2 hours/day recreational, parental supervision, internet safety. Sleep: 9-12 hours. Nutrition: family meals, healthy choices, limit junk food, calcium and vitamin D. Puberty education: girls 8-12, boys 9-14, body changes, hygiene, menstruation (girls). Dental: orthodontics, brushing, flossing. Immunizations: catch-up if needed. Report: school problems, behavioral changes, signs of abuse or bullying.
Important Notes
- Booster seat until 4 foot 9 inches (8-12 years) — seat belt fits properly only when lap belt is on thighs (not abdomen) and shoulder belt crosses chest (not neck).
- Helmets for bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates — prevents traumatic brain injury, the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes.
- Erikson industry vs inferiority: school-age children need to develop competence and succeed at tasks — provide opportunities for achievement and recognition.
Clinical Tips
- Bullying: identify, intervene, support — both victims and bullies need help, and bystanders should be empowered to speak up.
- Puberty education should begin before changes start — girls 8-12, boys 9-14 — reduces anxiety and promotes healthy development.
- Sleep 9-12 hours — insufficient sleep affects school performance, behavior, mood, and health.
Summary
School-age development includes physical growth, concrete operational cognition, Erikson industry, peer relationships, and parent education on safety (helmets, booster seats), school involvement, bullying, and puberty education.
