Typical Development of Children Ages 6-11
Cognitive Development
Children are beginning to think in more logical and abstract ways, due to the total brain volume stabilizing. "Critical thinking involves thinking reflectively and productively, and evaluating evidence." (Santrock 2008) The children are beginning to rethink previously held ideas and are developing a deep understanding of concepts. "Creative thinking is the ability to think in novel and unusual ways and to come up with unique solutions to problems." (Santrock 2008) Kids are no longer just presenting yes or no answers, they are beginning to think outside the box.
Emotional Development
As kids pass through the childhood years they become more aware of their own emotions as well as the people around them. Some of the developmental changes in emotions are:
As kids pass through the childhood years they become more aware of their own emotions as well as the people around them. Some of the developmental changes in emotions are:
- Increased tendency to be aware of the events leading to emotional reactions.
- Increased understanding that more than one emotion can be experienced in a particular situation.
- A capacity for genuine empathy.
Social Development
Building friendships during childhood is a very important factor of a child's development. There are six main functions that a child's friendship can serve.
Building friendships during childhood is a very important factor of a child's development. There are six main functions that a child's friendship can serve.
- Companionship- provides the child with a playmate, someone who is willing to spend time with them and join in activities.
- Stimulation- provides children with excitement and amusement.
- Physical Support- provides time, resources, and assistance.
- Social Comparison- provides information about where the child stands next to others and if the child is doing okay.
- Affection and Intimacy- provides children with a warm, close, trusting relationship with another individual.
- Ego Support- provides support, encouragement and feedback which helps a child maintain an impression of themselves as individuals.
_Physical Development
"Children grow an average of 2 to 3 inches a year until, at the age of 11, the average girl is 4 feet, 10 1/4 inches tall, and the average boy is 4 feet 9 inches tall." (Santrock 2008) During the childhood years, weight, muscle mass and strength gradually increase. "Running, climbing, skipping rope, swimming, bicycle riding, and skating are just a few of the physical skills children can master." (Santrock 2008) As they pass through the childhood years they will go through stages of using large crayons to scribble around the ages 6 or 7, and by the time they are 9 or 10 the children are generally able to write small neat cursive writing. Their fine motor skills and coordination greatly improve and they begin to show skills similar to adults.
"Children grow an average of 2 to 3 inches a year until, at the age of 11, the average girl is 4 feet, 10 1/4 inches tall, and the average boy is 4 feet 9 inches tall." (Santrock 2008) During the childhood years, weight, muscle mass and strength gradually increase. "Running, climbing, skipping rope, swimming, bicycle riding, and skating are just a few of the physical skills children can master." (Santrock 2008) As they pass through the childhood years they will go through stages of using large crayons to scribble around the ages 6 or 7, and by the time they are 9 or 10 the children are generally able to write small neat cursive writing. Their fine motor skills and coordination greatly improve and they begin to show skills similar to adults.
Impact of Down Syndrome Development
- Children with Down Syndrome generally do all the activities and hit all the milestones that typical developing children do, just at a slower rate and age.
- "Learning for children with Down syndrome between birth and 11 years old can be characterized by difficulty with the maintenance of existing skills and a persistent use of counter-productive strategies for novel problem solving tasks." (Fidler D, 2008)
- "Long-term memory for explicit information (i.e., words, a visual representation, etc.) has also been shown to be significantly more difficult for children with Down syndrome." (Fidler D, 2008)
- An area of strength with Down Syndrome children is social development. Compared to many other developmental or intellectual disabilities, children with Down Syndrome show signs of sharing, staying on tasks, engaging in social interaction and working in groups.
- Children with Down Syndrome have motor impairments in fine motor and gross motor tasks such as balance, posture, strength and flexibility. Some kids have difficulty with motor planning, the ability to organize and sequence an unfamiliar action.
- "About 40% of all children born with Down syndrome will have a congenital heart defect." (Fergus 2009)
- "Other medical conditions that may occur more frequently in kids with Down syndrome include thyroid problems, intestinal abnormalities, seizure disorders, respiratory problems, weight issues, and a slightly higher risk of childhood leukemia (about 1%). Upper neck abnormalities (atlantoaxial instability) are sometimes found and should be evaluated by a physician" (Fergus 2009)
- "Hearing loss can be due to differences in the structure of the inner ear bones or due to ear infections. Vision problems include crossed-eyes, lazy eye, near and farsightedness, and an increased risk of cataracts" (Fergus 2009)