Developmentally Appropriate Behavior


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Children are not little adults. They think and
      act differently than we do. Just as we wouldn't expcet children
      to learn algebra in the first grade, we should not expect a child
      to behave in ways that they are not developmentally ready for.
      The following table is a quick overview of the mental, social,
      and emotional development of a child.
 Age 
      
Mental Characteristics 
      
Social Characteristics 
      
Emotional Characteristics

      
4 year olds Can
      reason with you a little, but may still have a hard time understanding
      everything. Loves learning, talking, and will ask many questions.
      They are very curious. They have trouble separating fact from
      fantasy. Their attention span is very short. It
      is during these years that the child learns to be more cooperative
      in their play. They love to play pretend. They are physically
      aggressive, and may be controlling, bossy, impolite, and stubborn.
      They are learning to share and how to follow and accept rules.  They
      will test their limits. They are smart and they will figure out
      quickly how far they can go. They will test you. They are boastful.
      Their attitude fluctuates alot. One minute they can be happy
      and agreeing with you, and the next they can be cranky and upset.
      It is during this age that they are starting to develop fears,
      and my be insecure about themselves. 

      
 5 year olds  Attention
      span during these years is begining to increase, but is still
      short. They are talkative, but sentences and questions are more
      relavent. This is the time when they are entering school, so
      knowledge and recognition of letters, numbers, and words is increasing.
      The child is still curious. They like defined tasks. They enjoy
      humor and jokes, but cannot laugh at themselves. The
      child is friendly during this age. They are quick to please and
      cooperate. They are forming social groups, and starting to not
      be as selfish. This is an age of conforming for them, and they
      may be critical of those who do not conform. Children
      at this age are very affectionate to adults and are constantly
      trying to please them. They are independent, dependable, and
      usually happy. However, they are easily embarrased. 

      
 6 year olds The
      child is starting to understand more complex thoughts, now but
      still relies on concrete ideas. They are very talkative, and
      will still ask many questions. They are indecisive, and attention
      span is still increasing. During this year, the child
      is more interactive with friends. They are still self-centered,
      and show concern with their self and how they are treated. Girl
      and boy interest are starting to differ. Friendships are unstable.
      The child likes competition, and likes to win. They may try to
      change rules to fit their own needs. Play may be aggressive,
      and the child may be unkind at times to others. The child yerns
      for social acceptance.  The
      child is boastful. They may exaggerate stories and criticize
      others. They are happy and excited and are easy to giggle and
      be silly. They are very genrous and still seek for affection
      and acceptance. Their mood is very ficle.
 
      
7 year olds They
      are eager to learn. They are starting to think more logically,
      and can solve problems easier. Attention span is good. They like
      to be challenged. They are starting to develope special interests,
      and will take their time when it comes to completing a task. They
      like to play in groups as well as solitary play. There seems
      to be more of a defined rift between girls and boys. They show
      more responsibility and independence. They focus on whether they
      will do well or not at a task. The
      child is starting to not be as bossy and domineering. They do
      not like critism, and wishes to please others. They are sensitive
      about others feelings. However, they may be critical of themselves
      and become more of a perfectionist. The child is more cautious
      and withdrawn during this age.

What do the psycologists say?


Portraits of the life of a child

      
 
         
        
          In
            early childhood, children love the spotlight. They are egocentric
            according to Jean Piaget. However, around the age of seven, like
            the girl with the fish, children start to think more about how
            others feel. They are willing to share the spotlight. 
        
      

      
 
         
        
          Children
            love to create and imagine. These children are imagining themselves
            with a little head. The girl to the left thinks she's a movie
            star. 
        
      
 
         
        
          
            
 
               
              
                During
                  early childhood, children are using their large muscles. They
                  are full of energy. Play is their work. 
              
            
        
       
         
        
          
            
 
               
              
                Children
                  are curious. This child was wondering how the camera worked,
                  until she was enlightened a little. 
              
            
        
      


 You
      have just reviewed a few age-appropriate behavior and mental
      capabilities of children ages 4 to 7. Not all children will fit
      the mold, some may be more hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive
      and it may be more than age-appropriate behavior. It might be
      Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD.

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Age	Mental Characteristics	Social Characteristics	Emotional Characteristics
4 year olds	Can reason with you a little, but may still have a hard time understanding everything. Loves learning, talking, and will ask many questions. They are very curious. They have trouble separating fact from fantasy. Their attention span is very short.	It is during these years that the child learns to be more cooperative in their play. They love to play pretend. They are physically aggressive, and may be controlling, bossy, impolite, and stubborn. They are learning to share and how to follow and accept rules.	They will test their limits. They are smart and they will figure out quickly how far they can go. They will test you. They are boastful. Their attitude fluctuates alot. One minute they can be happy and agreeing with you, and the next they can be cranky and upset. It is during this age that they are starting to develop fears, and my be insecure about themselves.
5 year olds	Attention span during these years is begining to increase, but is still short. They are talkative, but sentences and questions are more relavent. This is the time when they are entering school, so knowledge and recognition of letters, numbers, and words is increasing. The child is still curious. They like defined tasks. They enjoy humor and jokes, but cannot laugh at themselves.	The child is friendly during this age. They are quick to please and cooperate. They are forming social groups, and starting to not be as selfish. This is an age of conforming for them, and they may be critical of those who do not conform.	Children at this age are very affectionate to adults and are constantly trying to please them. They are independent, dependable, and usually happy. However, they are easily embarrased.
6 year olds	The child is starting to understand more complex thoughts, now but still relies on concrete ideas. They are very talkative, and will still ask many questions. They are indecisive, and attention span is still increasing.	During this year, the child is more interactive with friends. They are still self-centered, and show concern with their self and how they are treated. Girl and boy interest are starting to differ. Friendships are unstable. The child likes competition, and likes to win. They may try to change rules to fit their own needs. Play may be aggressive, and the child may be unkind at times to others. The child yerns for social acceptance.	The child is boastful. They may exaggerate stories and criticize others. They are happy and excited and are easy to giggle and be silly. They are very genrous and still seek for affection and acceptance. Their mood is very ficle.
7 year olds	They are eager to learn. They are starting to think more logically, and can solve problems easier. Attention span is good. They like to be challenged. They are starting to develope special interests, and will take their time when it comes to completing a task.	They like to play in groups as well as solitary play. There seems to be more of a defined rift between girls and boys. They show more responsibility and independence. They focus on whether they will do well or not at a task.	The child is starting to not be as bossy and domineering. They do not like critism, and wishes to please others. They are sensitive about others feelings. However, they may be critical of themselves and become more of a perfectionist. The child is more cautious and withdrawn during this age.