Continuing on Track. . .

As Your Child Grows & Learns

Colorado Department of Education 1996

 

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Most 5-year-olds...

  • want to please important adults
  • want to be told what to do, but are not always able to see things from another's point of view
  • think out loud
  • like to copy
  • learn best through play and their own actions
  • are active but can control their physical behavior
  • often do not talk or share about school at home
  

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Read to your child everyday.  Five-year-olds especially enjoy books in which they can predict what's going to happen next.  Help your child tell stories about drawings or pictures.   Together you can read things like labels on cans, traffic signs, posters for movies, and signs for restaurants and grocery stores.

Your child can count and sort things like blocks, pots and pans, and pieces of paper.   Talk about size, shape, length, and width.

Five-year-olds enjoy the world of make-believe.  It gives them a chance to explore and understand what they see and hear about. They will like it when you join their fun playing with cars, trucks, puppets, and stuffed animals.

 

 

6

 

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Most 6-year-olds...

  • may have a best friend (friends are important)
  • want to "win" and be "the best"
  • are enthusiastic
  • are easily upset when hurt
  • learn best through discovery
  • get tired easily
  • seem to always be in a hurry
  • like to explain things
  • begin to show interest in other times and places
  

6

 

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Take your child to the local library. Let your child share books with other children. Six-year-olds like to tell jokes and play guessing games.  They enjoy spelling and printing.

Six-year-olds are interested in easy arithmetic activities and games.   Your child will like helping you cook.  Using measuring cups and spoons will help your child understand math.

Moods of six-year-olds change a lot.  One minute your child may be friendly, generous, and loving and the next moment be jealous, tearful, and demanding.  Be patient and understanding.  A hug or a smile will help your child know you care.

 

 

7

 

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Most 7-year-olds...

  • have many hurts, real and imagined
  • enjoy one-to-one conversation
  • are interested in secret languages and passwords
  • still like to be read to
  • enjoy board games
  • want to discover how things work
  • have strong likes and dislikes
  • like to do things over and over again
  • enjoy being with other children of the same age, may have special friends or join clubs
  

7

 

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Most children will like making their own books by writing first and then drawing pictures.  Seven-year-olds will probably be more interested in reading alone than with a partner.  Help your child create a story in different ways—by telling or writing a poem, printing, drawing, painting, or singing.

Playing simple board and card games with your seven-year old is an easy way to practice addition and subtraction.

Encourage your child's interest in nature (weather, birds, animals, and plants) by taking walks, visiting parks and recreation areas, and going to the zoo.  Ask a friend to come along sometimes.  Your child will enjoy collecting things like leaves, rocks, seeds, and feathers.

 

 

8

 

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Most 8-year-olds...

  • like to work cooperatively
  • have difficulty with limits
  • bounce back quickly from mistakes
  • enjoy challenges and like to complete activities (math projects, writing books, woodworking, dewing, arts, crafts)
  • learn new words quickly
  • have short attention spans
  • often overestimate their own abilities
  

8

 

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When eight-year-olds say, "I'm bored," they often mean that something is too hard. You may need to offer your child some suggestions to help complete an activity.

Listen to the longer, more detailed stories your child writes. Enjoy a children's movie together and talk about it afterwards.  Your child will be excited and encouraged by your interest.  Eight-year-olds can develop and use a simple calendar of family activities.

Join your child in building or making something (putting together a model or finishing a sewing project). Your eight-your-old will learn to understand and follow directions.  Your child can learn about money by helping you as you pay for groceries at the store or for food in a restaurant.

Eight-year olds have a growing interest in "rules" and being "fair," but it's difficult when they don't win in games. Hearing "I know it's hard when you don't win" will let your child know that you understand. Talk with your child about why rules and cooperation are important.

 

All children grow and develop differently. You can find out more about your child's development by contacting your local elementary school.

 

Federal funds from the Dependent Care and Development Block Grant, 42 USC 9871, as amended by P.L. 101-501, and funds from Title I, IASA, P.K. 103-382, CFDA 84.010, are each providing 50% of the cost of printing this publication.

Feel free to reproduce this brochure. Please give credit to the Colorado Department of Education. 1996

Title: Continuing on Track. . .As Your Child Grows & Learns
Publication Date: 1996
Publisher/Institutional Source: Colorado Department of Education
Contact:
Colorado State Board of Education
201 East Colfax Ave. Room 500
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6817
E-mail: state.board@cde.state.co.us
URL: http://www.cde.state.co.us/

Copyright/Permission:
This text is copyright 1996 by the Colorado Department of Education.
This text is reproduced on NPIN with the permission of the Colorado Department of Education.
Reproduction of this material is freely granted, provided credit is given to the Colorado Department of Education.

NPIN Acquisition: N00011. February 1998.


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