After the kindergarten phase, your child is now entering a bigger playing field. The primary school stage. They are no longer toddlers at this point but fully grown children with minds of their own.
The time for exploration gives way to a time of implementation. They are now putting all that they have learnt into good use.
Their introduction into the school system will open up their world to new challenges and opportunities in the realms of physical, cognitive and social development.
Here’s what you as a parent should expect now that your child is between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.
Physical Development
As your little one goes through their primary school era, they will go through astounding growth spurts.
Soon you won’t even be able to recognise them; they won’t be so little anymore.
By the time they reach the end of their 12th year, they will be over 27 kilograms in weight and over 130 centimetres in height.
This, of course, depends also on their diet and genetics (some children are naturally taller than others).
As their sexual hormones kick in, your child will start their metamorphosis into their teen self. This will bring its own challenges and surprises.
Here are their physical milestones from 6 all the way to 12 years old.
6 years old
As a result of increased muscle mass, your child’s weight should be between 17 and 22 kilograms.
As a general rule of thumb, boys tend to weigh more than girls.
They should also be between 100 and 120 centimetres tall.
A growth spurt occurs, and your child will appear ‘lanky’ (long arms and legs).
They will start to lose their baby teeth one by one, starting with the two front teeth.
7 years old
Posture improves for most children, but they’ll continue to grow tall and lanky.
Energy levels come and go; they may have spurts of energy followed up by bouts of fatigue.
Their movements become more complex.
They can jump from high places and fall on both feet. They can climb trees or ladders. It’s important to supervise them if they do.
They may be prone to sickness at this age while their immune system creates new antibodies.
8 years old
Most parents see a marked improvement in their child’s agility, balance, speed and strength.
Children also tend to enjoy many physical activities at this age (biking, rollerblading, etc).
Vision fully develops at this age.
Mood swings may peak at this age. Girls may already experience puberty. Create a welcoming and accepting environment that will allow your child to inform you of any changes they are going through (like menses or pubic hair).
9 to 12 years old
Your child’s growth from this moment starts to accelerate.
They will no longer be so little anymore. Their height and weight will continue to increase (depending on genetics too).
Their fine and motor skills, though, will stabilise.
For both boys and girls, hormonal fluctuations start to skyrocket, and with them, body changes. Parents should guide their child through this stage with patience and understanding.
Cognitive Development
Your child’s cognitive load increases now that they have entered into the school system.
They are no longer learning to read and write or count numbers anymore but more advanced subjects. Language, mathematics, science, art, history and others.
As they learn more and more at school, your child graduates from exploration to education. Some children may have trouble adapting to this more rigid structure of lesson-homework-exam.
When previously they were able to learn intuitively or under the patient guidance of a parent.
It is important to be very understanding in helping your child transition into primary school even if it feels trivial to an adult. If your child fails to adapt, they may fall behind on their formal education.
Here’s what else is in store for your child’s cognitive development.
6 years old
Attention span increases, and problem-solving and time awareness improve. Should already be reading and counting at this point.
They may still cling to magical beliefs and superstitions at this point (imaginary friends, fairies, etc.).
Their speech improves, and they are now using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
They may become extra talkative and inquisitive. May pick up extra languages if in bi- or multilingual families.
Understanding and fear of death appear.
7 years old
Their fine motor skills improve; writing and using utensils become more coordinated.
Their handwriting improves and becomes more uniform.
Your child may be able to carry out and follow multiple-step instructions.
Perceptions of distance, depth, time and cause and effect improve.
Children at this age typically have proficient reading skills. Use of adjectives and adverbs improves.
8 years old
Your child may now understand the basics of finances; they may start to have an urge to save money.
History lessons in school (and exposure to other children) may open their mind to other cultures and ways of thinking.
They should be learning division and multiplication at this age, so give them plenty of patient guidance.
Their logic becomes more sophisticated; they may start making lists, planning for the future, etc.
They may start learning swear words and slang.
9 to 12 years
By the end of the primary school stage, your child’s brain will go through new and exciting changes.
Hormonal fluctuations will cause the final few stages of cognitive maturation.
Your child’s processing power, memory, and executive function will greatly improve at this stage.
However, this will not necessarily impact their academic performance.
In fact, they will start to form even more complex thought processes beyond their formal education.
Emotional Development
As your child slowly leaves childhood and enters adolescence, their social priorities will change.
From seeking approval from adults such as parents and teachers to craving validation from peers.
Their mood swings will also be stronger as sexual hormones start flooding their bodies.
Here’s what you can expect from your child’s emotional and social development from 6 to 12 years old.
6 years old
Mood swings fluctuate at this age.
Children still tend to seek adult approval even as they start to detach from their parents. Their social circle expands.
They are still self-centred and do not like being corrected or criticised.
Fear of the unknown arises; they may be scared of the dark, lightning and certain animals.
Their moral system is still developing at this stage. Ideas of right and wrong need to be instilled (lying, stealing, cheating, etc.).
Behavioural problems may appear or worsen at this stage: bedwetting, tics, nail biting, etc. These are often indications of trouble adapting to new environments
7 years old
Develops responsibility; helpful but can be self-critical.
A sense of humour appears; they start understanding jokes and sarcasm.
Most children at this age start complaining about unfair treatment from parents.
Quarrels and disagreements with siblings are common. Their feelings are easily hurt (though most are able to hide it).
8 years old
Starts forming independent opinions about things as well as on ideas of right and wrong. Self-criticism and blaming are common.
They enjoy group activities and games with friends and family members.
For the most part, some children prefer to spend time alone.
9 to 12 years old
Interest in the opposite sex starts to develop.
This may be the time to have ‘the talk’ with your child.
They may become more self-conscious of themselves.
They will soon transition from seeking approval from adults to seeking approval from peers.
As a result, they may start dressing differently or following the latest trends. This will escalate as they go through their teenage years.
The Dawn of Adolescence
The transition from child to pre-teen can be a harrowing rite of passage, full of highs and lows.
As they slowly grow, this period of innocence will soon give way to a stage full of self-discovery, experimentation and independence.
At the end of your child’s primary school age, they will officially enter the big and scary world of the teenager.
While many parents dread the teen years, it is not something to worry about.
With plenty of patience and understanding, you will be able to lead your child through the ups and downs of this exciting journey called adolescence.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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