Common Characteristics of Seven-Year-Olds

In contrast to brash, noisy sixes, seven-year-olds are generally quiet, sensitive, and serious. Their intense moods often change quickly. Sevens tend to work hard at everything they do and need private time to manage their new thoughts and feelings.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

v May be moody, shy, sulky, touchy; sometimes depressed

v Prefer playing and working alone or with one friend

v May change friendships quickly and feel “nobody likes me”

v Rely on adults for help and reassurance

v Need the security of rules, routines, and physical boundaries

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

v Better at understanding ideas such as time, space and quantity

v Learn new words and meanings quickly; enjoy writing stories

v Open to learning math

v Good at classifying, such as sorting buttons, pictures, leaves, and shapes

v Listen well and speak precisely

v Enjoy hands-on exploration of how things work

v Bothered by mistakes and try hard to make their work perfect

v Like to work slowly and finish what they start

v Enjoy repeating tasks and reviewing learning

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

v Often keep their eyes focused on a small, close area

v Copying from board is very hard

v With head on arm or table, grasp pencil point tightly and write very small

v Can do quiet work for longer periods

v Can get sick from worrying about tests, assignments, etc.