School-Age

• School Age


  1. 12 years old
• Average age of onset of puberty is 10 for girls and 12 for boys
• Skills learned during this stage

  • Particularly important in relation to work later in life and willingness to try new tasks
• Physical Development


  Gains weight rapidly and thus appears less thin than previously
• Physical Development


  • Weight
  • Height
• By 6 years old, boys weigh about 21 kg (46 lb), about 1 kg (2 lb) more than girls
• From 6 to 12 years of age, weight averages about 3.2 kg (7 lb) per year
• By 12 years old, boys and girls weigh on average 40 to 42 kg (88 to 95 lb), with girls usually heavier
• By 6 years old, boys and girls are 115 cm (46 in.) in height
• By 12 years old, boys and girls are about 150 cm (60 in.) in height
• Girls have a growth spurt between 10 and 12 years, boys between 12 and 14 years
• Girls may be taller than boys at 12 years
• By 6 years old, the thoracic curvature starts to develop and the lordosis disappears
• Vision


  By 6-8 years old, depth and distance perception is accurate
• By age 6, children have full binocular vision
• Vision gradually changes to 20/20 during the school-age years
• Hearing/Touch


  • Auditory is fully developed
  • Sense of touch is well developed and able to identify unseen objects by touch (stereognosis)
• Little changes in the reproductive and endocrine systems during the prepubertal years
• From ages 9 to 13, endocrine functions slowly increase, resulting in increased perspiration and more active sebaceous glands
• Girls may have a sticky vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) prior to puberty
• Motor Abilities


  • By 6 to 10 years old, has perfect muscular skills and coordination
  • By 9 years old, skilled in games of interest and able to do activities requiring fine motor coordination
• By 9 years old, most children have sufficient fine motor control for drawing, building models, or playing musical instruments
• Children can do tricks on a bike or skateboard, climb a tree, throw and catch a small ball, and play a musical instrument
• Psychosocial Development (Erikson)


  Industry vs. Inferiority - begin to create and develop a sense of competence and perseverance, motivated by activities that provide a sense of worth, concentrate on mastering skills to function in the adult world
• Psychosocial Development (Freud)


  Latency/Latent Stage - focus is on physical and intellectual activities, little or no sexual motivation present, but curiosity about sexual matters is present
• In school, children have the restraints of the school system imposed on their behavior, and they learn to develop internal controls
• Children tend to compare their skills with those of their peers, which assists in the development of self-concept
• Children gradually become less self-centered and more cooperative within a group
• Children may form more formalized peer groups structured around common interests, often consisting of the same gender later in the school-age period
• Children recognize similarities and differences between themselves and others
• If successful and receive recognition, children feel competent and in control; if unaccepted by peers or receive negative feedback, they may experience feelings of inferiority and worthlessness
• Moral Development (Kohlberg)


  • Preconventional Level - act to avoid punishment, do things to benefit themselves
  • Conventional Level - motivated to live up to what significant others think of the child
• Spiritual Development (Fowler)


  Mythic-Literal Stage - learn to distinguish fantasy from fact, ask many questions about God and religion, may reject religion or continue religious training
• Cognitive Development (Piaget)


  Concrete Operations - change from egocentric to cooperative interactions, develop logical reasoning, learn about cause-and-effect relationships, gain understanding of concepts like money and time
• By 9 years old, most children are self-motivated, compete with themselves, and like to plan in advance
• By 12 years old, children are motivated by inner drive rather than competition with peers, and they like to talk, discuss different subjects, and debate
• School-age children continue to have communicable diseases, dental caries, and accidents as health risks
• Health Examinations


  • Annual physical examination or as recommended
• Protective Measures


  • Immunizations as recommended (e.g., HPV, MMR, meningococcal, Tdap, influenza)
  • Screening for tuberculosis
  • Periodic vision, speech, and hearing screenings
  • Regular dental screenings and fluoride treatment
  • Providing accurate information about sexual issues (e.g., reproduction, AIDS)
• School-Age Child Safety


  • Using proper equipment when participating in sports and other physical activities (e.g., helmets, pads)
  • Encouraging child to take responsibility for own safety (e.g., participating in bicycle and water safety courses)