Developmental Pointers for Parents (8 years old)

Physical: Provide opportunities for activities that require small muscle skill and coordination. Be patient with clumsiness, unpleasant habits, and squirming. Praise good behavior. Recognize his high energy level and need for physical activities. Be enthusiastic.



Mental: Challenge his intellectual capacity and expand his understanding of the spirtual things. Utilize games, stories, and problem solving activities. Listen to his comments and questions, but take advantage of his confidence of your knowledge. Teach him to maintain greater concern about judging his own behavior than those of others. Help set realistic goals that can be reached. Provide the child with appropriate heroes.


Social: Provide many opportunities for group interaction, cooperation, and sharing. He needs constant supervision. Recognize that friendships are intense, encourage group activities. Each child needs expereinces in belonging to a peer group. Praise the child for positive characteristics. Provide the child with ample opportunities for making decisions and working independently. Assure him of your love, attention, and guidance.


Emotional: Guide him toward overcoming negative emotions and developing positive ways of showing interest and enthusiasm. Praise; do not criticize. Encourage efforts and let him know you see his progress. Teach that others also make mistakes. Let him enjoy humor when appropriate, and be patient with giggling. Do not compare one child to another. Praise and build self-confidence.


Spiritual: Build foundations of truth and express personal faith often. Challenge him with ways to apply spiritual principles to his life. Do not preach. Be an example through sharing personal experience and stories.