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The best thing you can do for your time with children is to enjoy them. Laugh with them when they are active and happy. Give them time to learn. Expect mistakes and much forgetting. Don't require too much of them. Being aware of several general characteristics common to first grade children will help adults in understanding a child's development.
First grade children will probably be:
Six or seven years old.
Impulsive -- going from one extreme to another, with spurts of antagonism.
Often dawdling -- more interested in playing than in eating or dressing. There will be periods of deep thinking, and periods of inattention, periods of laughter and tears in quick succession.
Often careless of their clothes.
Frequently combative. When thwarted, they resort to such behavior as sulking or damaging the possessions of others.
Competitive -- wanting to be a winner, first to be chosen, best liked, the biggest, and so on.
Boastful -- trying to establish their own superiority.
Active, climbing, running, and wrestling; trying to do things too hard for them.
What do first graders need?
To feel secure and loved, no matter what they do.
Generous praise and not too much criticism of errors.
To be distracted form undesirable behaviors in kindly ways.
Opportunities to show what they can do and to talk about themselves and their interests.
Broadening experiences to satisfy their growing interests.
A knowledge of property rights to accompany their collecting tendencies.
How can parents help?
Parents can help their first graders by:
Having a sense of humor and infinite patience to help them though this period of opposite behaviors.
Avoiding direct clashes of will.
Seeing that they have enough rest, nourishing food, and exercise.
Racing with them to overcome dawdling.
Planning Surprises
Ignoring grimaces, giggle, and silly actions. Giving them something to do before visitors so that they will not feel it necessary to act foolish to get attention.
Skillfully distracting them from difficulties by having some humorous tricks up your sleeve to build up their good behavior.
Demanding little of them on their "bad days".
Remembering that there is nothing wrong with your child but "six-year-oldness," and that wise guidance and time will bring positive changes.
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