5 TO 8 YEARS
What Children Are Like
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Grow curious about people and how
the world works - by 7, are beginning to understand
other people's feelings and that varying viewpoints
and lifestyles exist
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Show an increasing interest in numbers, letters, reading, and writing - by 7, most understand adding and subtracting if real objects and real situations are often used, can really read, and can draw/write/spell stories (in their own ways)
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Become more and more interested in a final product as they move toward 7
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Gain more confidence in physical skills
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Like grown-up activities - by 7, show interest in jobs admired adults do
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Use words to express feelings and to cope but still may need adult help to calm down - by 7, many children are able to help others plan group activities and solve social problems
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Become more outgoing, play cooperatively, need to make many choices and decisions and to initiate independent activities; also need time to play alone
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Still need reassurance and affection
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Need protection from the competitive stress-producing
world many of today's children find themselves in ,
and warmly enthusiastic adult support for what they
can do and do do "right"
Types Of Good Toys And Worthwhile Activities
- All the toys for 3 and 4 year olds
- More complex puzzles
- More difficult games, including board and card games
- Yarn, big needles, mesh fabric, weaving
- Magnets, balance scales, magnifying glass, math games
made for 5 through 7 year olds with pieces to handle
- Books with chapters, favorite stories children can
read and books adults can read to children (even 7 and
8 year olds), children's recipe books, diaries for the
older children to write in privately, picture dictionaries
- Watercolors, stapler, hole punch, chalkboard, oil crayons,
paint crayons, charcoal, simple camera, film
- More unit blocks, props; hollow or attribute blocks
- Brace & bits, screwdriver, screws, measuring tape
- Sand & water play: food coloring, pump, funnel,
containers
- Harmonica, kazoo, guitar, recorder
- Outdoor toys: playground ball, tetherball, jump rope,
Frisbee, bicycle, roller skates
- Cash register, other dramatic play props
- Nature activities
- 7 and 8 year olds are beginning to be interested in
hobbies, group and team games, clubs, and time to "hang out" and
talk with friends
- Computer
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