COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
Your child will develop cognitively, physically, and socially/emotionally
throughout their school careers. It is for your benefit and your childs benefit that
you are aware of your childs developments.
Characteristics- Cognitive, physical, and social/emotional changes children will go
through during certain times.
Activities- Helpful things to do with your child during these developmental changes.

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

COGNITIVE

PHYSICAL

SOCAIL/EMOTIONAL

CHARACERISTICS:
-aware of own mental
processes and others
may think differently
-Skillful with language
-Does not accurately
assess their competence
for tasks
-Extremely active
-Frequent rest periods
-Gross motor skills more
developed than fine
motor skills
-Difficulty focusing on
small objects
-Friendships change
rapidly
-Preferences in gender
and pairs vs. groups
-Aware of gender roles
-Expresses emotions
freely and openly
-Jealousy is common

ACTIVITIES:
-Interact with children
often
-Show interest

-Provide opportunities for

child to investigate and
experience many things
-Encourage child to do
many things

-Show achievements are

admired and appreciated
-Communicate love
-Establish firm rules and
expectations about
behavior

PRIMARY GRADES 1, 2, & 3

COGNITIVE

CHARACTERISTICS:
-Understand different
ways to know things
- Understanding learning
and remembering are
caused by cognitive
processes

ACTIVITIES:
-Short task
-Switch tasks often

PHYSCIAL

SOCAIL/EMOTIONAL

- Do not learn as easily as

older students
- Talking aloud to
themselves
-Extremely active
- Rest periods
-Gross motor skills
greater than fine motor
skills
- Difficultly focusing on
small prints/objects
- Extreme during physical
activities
- Bone growth not
complete
-Organized games in
small groups
- Frequent arguments

- Encourage play
- Allow time for rest

- Provide positive
- Involve them in many
activities/chores
- Keeps rules clear and
easy to follow

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES 4 AND 5

COGNITIVE

PHYSICAL

SOCIAL/EMOTIAONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:
- Thinks logically but
inconsistent
- Good with simply
memory skills
- Leaner and stronger
- Obesity can become a
problem
- Gender differences in
motor skills
- Calm and predictable
physical development
- Peer pressure becomes
powerful
- Friendships become
selective and genderbased
- Playing still makes many
contributions to childrens
development
- Development of selfimage
- Disruptive relationships

ACTIVITIES:
-Review old concepts with
children

- Create a good diet and

allow time for exercise

- Set strong rules

- Be positive and
encouraging
- Help develop friendships
- Allow time for playing

can may lead to

delinquent behavior

MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6, 7, & 8

COGNITIVE

CHARACERISTICS:
- Self-efficient

PHYSICAL

- Growth become rapid

and uneven
-Puberty
- Curiosity about sex
- Greater understanding
of the others feelings
-Conformity
- Self- conscious/ selfcentered

SOCAIL/EMOTIONAL

ACTIVITIES:
-Be supportive
- Be encouraging
- Talk about puberty
- Talk about sex

- Be aware of childs
mental health
- Be encouraging

HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 9, 10, 11, & 12

COGNITIVE

PHYSICAL
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

CHARACERISTICS:
- Capable of formal
thought
- Political thinking
develops
- Most reach physical
maturity and puberty
- Many are sexually active
- Adults influence long

ACTIVITIES:
-Demonstrate how to be a
formal thinker
- Specific instructions
- Talk about safe sex

- Talk about future plans

term plans
- Peers influence
immediate actions
- Anxiety
- Part time jobs
- Many psychiatric
disorders are found
during this time
- Depression
- Suicide becomes a
concern

- Always be aware of the

mental state of the child
- Do not allow
employment over 20
hours a week
- Set a respectful
environment

Resources
Snowman, J., & McCown, R. (2015). Psychology Applied to Teaching (14th ed.). Stamford, CT:
Cengage Learning.