Common Characteristics of Six-Year-Olds

The bodies, minds, and social behavior of six-year-olds are changing dramatically. Sixes have lots of energy. Eagerness, curiosity, imagination, drive, openness, and enthusiasm-all are at their peak in the typical six year-old.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

v Competitive; not always good sports; sometimes bossy or critical

v Either rush to be first or dawdle to be last

v Want to have friends; may have best friends

v Enjoy dressing up, putting on plays, etc., with other children

v Talkative and noisy

v Easily upset when criticized or discouraged

v Love encouragement, surprises, and treats

v Might test authority with tantrums, complaining or tattling

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

v Beginning to understand past and present, and how and why things happen

v More able to see other viewpoints and understand reasons for rules

v Love new ideas and asking questions

v Learn well through games, poems, riddles and songs

v Very ambitious, often choosing projects that are too hard

v Learn well from field trips and hands-on projects

v Like doing lots of work; not that concerned with the quality of the work

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

v Eyes are maturing, so reading is easier, but blackboard copying is still hard

v Often chew pencils, hair, or fingernails

v Bodies growing rapidly

v Like lots of physical activity

v Tire easily and get sick often