Understanding School-Age Child Development

May 20, 2025

School Age: Development

Overview

  • Focus on child development from ages 5-8
  • Development through play and relationships

Key Areas of School Age Development

Understanding School-Age Development

  • Play: Integral for learning and development.
    • Involves physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
    • Videos and articles support play's importance.
  • Puberty:
    • Early puberty: before 8 years (girls), 9 years (boys).
    • Late puberty: after 13 years (girls), 14 years (boys).
  • Gender Diversity in Puberty:
    • Support needed for some children experiencing anxiety.

Tracking Development and Concerns

  • 5-6 Years:
    • Emotional development, social play, improved coordination.
    • Need for independence and support.
  • 6-8 Years:
    • Enhanced play, friendships, and cognitive skills.
  • Developmental Issues:
    • Regression: Loss of learned skills.
    • Developmental Delay: Slower skill acquisition.

ADHD

  • Characteristics:
    • Attention, hyperactivity, impulse control issues.
  • Management:
    • Support strategies and possible medication.
  • Friendships:
    • Social skills development through structured interactions.

Language Development

  • General Development (5-8 years):
    • Learning complex sentences, pronunciation.
  • Language Delay:
    • Delayed language milestones need professional intervention.
  • Speech Disorders:
    • Includes stuttering and other speech issues.
  • Selective Mutism:
    • Inability to speak in specific situations warrants professional help.

Social & Emotional Development

  • Emotion Management:
    • Recognizing and managing emotions is key.
    • Activities like puppet play and emotional learning.
  • Self-Regulation:
    • Critical for learning and social interactions.
  • Calming Techniques:
    • Strategies to help children manage strong emotions.
  • Resilience and Self-Compassion:
    • Building resilience through relationships and practical skills.

Creative Development

  • Activities:
    • Encourage drama, art, music, and dance for growth.

Sexual Development

  • Typical Behaviors:
    • Curiosity about bodies, needs monitoring for harmful behavior.
  • Education:
    • Early education on body parts and consent.

Gender Diversity & Dysphoria

  • Support:
    • Critical for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
    • Importance of family and professional support.

Other Topics

  • Behaviour and Communication
  • Family Life and Health
  • Media, Technology, and Safety
  • School Learning and Sleep
  • Resources and Support Networks

Support and Resources

  • Raising Children Network: Supported by Australian government agencies and research institutes.
  • Professional Partners: Include Parenting Research Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.