Development
7-9 Yrs: Developing Minds
You may be surprised and delighted as your child shows special talents
in certain areas.
Support her but try to resist getting carried
away. It's still early days and your child's interests and special skills
may change. Keep an open mind!
Sharp mind - sharp tongue
Your child is becoming increasingly sophisticated
in both verbal and mental abilities. She begins to discover the power of
words and may resort to verbal put-downs with both family and peers. She
doesn't always realize how hurtful her words can be and you may need to
use gentle guidance to steer her towards more positive uses of her new abilities.
Newfound talents
As she becomes more of an independent thinker, she begins to develop interests
that may be quite different from your own. Some children develop special
talents, showing particular skills in writing or art. Others may be musical
or excel in maths or woodwork. Encourage her interests and talents but
be careful not to label her too firmly. She is still young and has ample
time to change direction or gain new skills.
Looking to the future
This is the age when most children begin
to fantasize about future careers and lifestyles. Some base their plans
on their skills and interests. However, many daydream about lifestyles
or occupations that are totally unrelated to their everyday life. There
would be a lot of engine-drivers around if everybody lived up to their
childhood ambitions.
Thinking it out
Your child now has a good understanding of most
everyday concepts and may begin to grasp some simple abstract concepts.
However it will still be some time before her abstract thinking ability
is fully developed.
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