Developmental Pointers for Parents (7 years)

Physcial: Utilize many opportunities for using both large and small muscle skills. Allow the child to share his special skills. Be patient with annoyances, do not draw attention to awkwardness. Keep energies channeled into involvement, interest, and activity. Praise behavior and be patient with restlessness.



Mental: Ask many thought-provoking questions. Stimulate his thinking with open-ended stories, riddles, thinking games, discussions, etc. Give many opportunities for decision making and selecting what he would do in particular situations. Encourage the pursuit of hobbies and interests. Give opportunities to read. Give challenges that are right for his level of ability; allow plenty of time to accomplish a task.



Social: give opportunities for group play, such as games, pantomimes and small plays, but also respect his desire to occasionally work alone. Do not force interaction between the sexes. Assign responsibility and tasks that he can carry out, and then praise him for his efforts of accomplishments. Help him assume responsibility for wrongdoings.



Emotional: Continue to help the child develop social skills. Give praise for positive behavior, such as waiting his turn, sharing, and giving other children a chance to express their ideas. Build his confidence; instead of criticizing, look for opportunities to give approval and affection. Accept his need for peer approval and his need to belong. Offer love, patience, and sensitivity. Let him know that he has progressed, continue to encourage him. Encourage him and give him self-confidence. Accept his moods and aloofness. Encourage him to express himself and to turn his interests to others.



Spiritual: Teach spiritual concepts in simple, concrete ways, and help him apply the concepts in his daily life. Give him the responsibly for making choices, and provide opportunities to practice making right choices.