Know

Think about the school-age children that you care for in your home. You have likely already noticed the differences between the youngest 5-year-olds and the oldest 12-year-olds. As school-age children grow from kindergartners to preteens, their bodies and minds undergo extraordinary changes. They are on their way to adulthood, and they are learning the skills they need to be successful in their homes, communities, and schools. Cognitive development is a major part of the changes you see, but it is not the only change. It is important to remember that physical development and social-emotional development also contribute to cognitive development during the school-age years. You will learn more about other aspects of children’s development in other courses (for example, in the Social & Emotional Development course and the Physical Development course). This lesson highlights the cognitive developmental milestones you can expect during the school-age years.

Milestones

School-age children’s thinking skills become increasingly sophisticated as they encounter new people, places, and ideas. They develop the ability to learn in abstract ways from books, art, movies, and experiences. You have the exciting opportunity to witness some children’s first encounters with formal schooling and to watch others learn as they move between grades and schools.

The chart below highlights cognitive development during the school-age years. Keep in mind that individual differences exist when it comes to the specific age at which children meet these milestones and that each child is unique. Milestones provide a guide for when certain skills or behaviors typically begin to emerge. Think of milestones as guidelines to help you understand and identify typical patterns of growth and development or help you know when and what to look for as school-age children mature. You can use this information about developmental milestones, and what you learn from families, to create high-quality interactions, experiences, and environments for school-age children.

Cognitive development is a process specific to each school-age child. Sometimes school-age children may exhibit cognitive difficulties that can affect their learning and behavior. School-age children experiencing difficulties may not receive proper interventions, supports, or care from caregivers and other adults. We might ignore some behaviors because we think that they are related to the mood changes most middle and early adolescent school-age children experience. However, certain behaviors should not be overlooked.  According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (2014), these include:

• Excessive depression
• Antisocial behaviors, or the inability to relate to peers or fit into a peer group
• Acting out
• Difficulty staying engaged in an academic task

It’s important to recognize the difference between behaviors that might be annoying to us (e.g., listening to loud music, talking back once in a while, and occasional moody behavior) and behaviors that are truly harmful (e.g., excessive depression, antisocial actions, harmful risk-taking). If you are concerned about a school-age child’s development, those feelings should not be ignored. Work with parents to discuss observations and brainstorm ideas on how to best support the child. This may be difficult, but it can make the difference in meeting a child’s needs. You can share information with families about typical child development and let them know you are available to talk.  

Ultimately, if families are concerned about a child’s development, they should talk to the child’s health-care provider about their concerns. Their health-care provider can perform developmental screenings and possibly refer the child to specialists. Families should also contact their local school district. The school district can arrange a free evaluation of the child’s development. This early intervention can help children get the services and help they need.

See

Just as children’s bodies grow throughout the childhood years, their brains are growing, too. You will see major changes in a child’s thinking skills between the ages of 5 and 12. Watch this video to learn more about milestones for school-age children and youth.    

Do

A school-age child’s positive cognitive development can sometimes be disrupted, and they may not achieve expected milestones. This can cause learning delays. Researchers suggest that using school-age children’s personal strengths might increase the likelihood of positive healthy development (Benson, 2009). This has been called a “developmental assets” approach, and you can learn more about this approach in the Apply section of this lesson. The following is a list of ways you can support school-age children’s development.

• Provide thought-provoking materials and challenging games for school-age children to complete if or when they have some downtime.
• Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate and culturally diverse books for school-age children to read.
• Model the values of kindness, respect, honesty, and responsibility.
• Make sure that the family child care environment is culturally sensitive and that there are no negative portrayals of different genders, races, or ethnicities.
• Ensure that the space reflects the needs and interests of school-age children.
• Provide spaces where school-age children can relax and be alone.
• Allow school-age children to design or personalize part of the space.
• Implement activities where children and youth can use their strengths and abilities.