Yardsticks

from  Responsive Classroom

Common Characteristics of Seven-Year-Olds

SOCIAL

--> may be moody, shy sulky, touchy, sometimes depressed

--> prefer playing and working alone or with one friend

--> may change friendships quickly and feel "nobody likes me"

--> rely on adults for help and reassurance

--> need the security of rules, routines, and physical boundaries

PHYSICAL

--> often keep their eyes focused on a small, close area

--> copying from board is very hard

--> with head on arm or desk, grasp pencil point tightly and write very small

--> can do quiet work for longer periods

--> can get sick from worrying about tests, assignments etc.

COGNITIVE

--> better at understanding ideas such as time, space, and quantity

--> learn new words and meanings quickly, enjoy writing stories

--> open to learning math

-->good at classifying, such as sorting buttons, pictures, leaves and shapes

--> listen well and speak precisely

--> enjoy hands-on exploration of how things work

--> bothered by mistakes and try hard to make their work perfect

--> like to work slowly and finish what they start

--> enjoy repeating tasks and reviewing learning

Common Characteristics of Eight-Year-Olds

SOCIAL

--> love group activities and cooperative work

--> prefer playing with peers of the same gender

--> like to talk and explain ideas

--> good sense of humor

--> adjust well to change; bounce back quickly from mistakes or disappointments

PHYSICAL

--> full of energy; play hard, work quickly, and tire easily -- do better with several short play breaks than one long one

--> eyes able to focus well on objects near and far

--> may have growth spurt

--> limited attention span; short exercise breaks help concentration

--> better control of eyes and hands allows cursive writing and copying from board

COGNITIVE

--> industrious, impatient, and full of ideas; often take on more than they can handle

--> listen well but may not always remember what they've heard

--> getting good at handwriting, handcrafts, computers, and drawing

--> excited but also nervous about exploring the broader world

--> may give up when things are hard but soon want to try again

--> interested in rules, logic, and fairness

Common Characteristics of Nine-Year-Olds

SOCIAL

--> Competitive

--> may form cliques 

--> Critical of self and others

--> need encouragement 

--> Like to work with a partner of their choice

--> can work in groups but with lots of arguing 

--> Seek answers to big questions 

--> Anxious

COGNITIVE

--> Work hard and pay attention but may jump quickly between interests 

--> Want factual explanations

--> enjoy scientific exploration 

-->Difficulty with abstractions such as large numbers 

--> Very verbal

--> love language and word play 

--> Industrious and curious 

--> Worry about global issues

PHYSICAL

--> Improved coordination 

--> Like to push physical limits

--> tire easily 

--> Restless

--> can’t sit still for long 

--> Often report aches and pains