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EIGHT YEARS

DEVELOPMENT

PHYSICAL
·         Continues to be accident prone, especially on the play ground.
·         Has more control over small muscles, and therefore writes and draws with more skill.
·         Displays a casual attitude toward clothing and appearance.
·         Seems to be all hands and arms.
·         Often agonizes over height and weight.
·         Seems to possess boundless energy.

EMOTIONAL
·         Begins to realize others experience similar feelings of anger, fear, sadness.
·         Is easily embarrassed.
·         Becomes discouraged easily.
·         Is often self-deprecating.

SOCIAL
·         Can be argumentative and bossy.
·         Can also be quite lovable and responsive.
·         Shows increasing ability to understand the needs and opinions of others.
·         Is preoccupied with finding compatible friends.
·         Especially likes to belong to more structured adult-led groups, such as Scouts and Campfire.
·         Begins to display sense of loyalty.
·         Enjoys secrets.
·         Shows some hostility toward the opposite sex.
·         No longer wants to assist in household chores.

MENTAL
·         Is often idealistic.
·         Is keenly interested in projects and collections.
·         Is proud of completing tasks.
·         Resists adult guidance at times.

PARENTING

·         Read to your child every night.
·         Limit the amount and the quality of television.
·         Provide a quiet, well-lit place for homework.
·         Be available for supervision.
·         May want to start an outside group activity (soccer team, dance class, Girl Scouts, church group, etc.)
·         Get to know your child's friends and their parents.
·         Provide supervision for your child after school. This is the best protection against future problems.

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