EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE (6 – 8)
Early childhood is a time of vulnerability, but also opportunity. Early childhood is one of the most important phases of life. The quality of health, well-being, learning and behaviour across the life span are determined during this phase. This phase is a time of great opportunity on the one hand, but also a period of huge vulnerability on the other.
Early childhood is a unique phase for capitalising on developmental forces to prevent or reduce barriers to learning later on in life. The course that development takes in each person depends critically on the quality of stimulation, support and nurturing that the child experiences in his or her family, neighbourhood, school and care environments. When these are poor or unsupportive, child development can be seriously affected.
However, evidence shows that, with early and appropriate interventions which address the risk factors, growth, cognitive and social-emotional development can be modified in ways which improve health, well-being, and competence in the long-term.
MIDDLE CHILDHOOD (9 – 11)
The child’s increasing independence from the family and interest in friends might be obvious during this phase. Healthy friendships are very important to the child’s development, but peer pressure can become strong. Children who have a good self-image are more able to resist negative peer pressure and make smarter choices for themselves.
This is an important time for children to gain a sense of responsibility as well as growing independence. Especially in girls, physical changes of puberty might be showing by now. Another big change children need to prepare for during this time is the start of senior elementary school.
Here is some information on how children develop during middle childhood:
Emotional/Social Changes
Children in this age group might:
- Start to form stronger, more complex friendships and peer relationships. It becomes more emotionally important to have friends, especially of the same sex.
- Experience more peer pressure.
- Become more aware of his or her body as puberty approaches. Body image and eating problems sometimes start around this age.
Thinking and Learning
Children in this age group might:
- Face more academic challenges at school.
- Become more independent from the family.
- Begin to see the point of view of others more clearly.
- Have an increased attention span.
ADOLESCENTS (12 – 14)
This is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. Hormones change as puberty begins. They might be worried about these changes and how others look at them. This also will be a time when your teen might face peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco products drugs and to have sex. Other challenges can be eating disorders, depression, and family problems. At this age, teens make more of their own choices about friends, sports, studying, and school. They become more independent, with their own personality and interests, although parents are still very important.
Here is some information on how young teens develop:
Emotional/Social Changes
Children in this age group might:
- Show more concern about body image, looks, and clothes.
- Focus on themselves; going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.
- Experience more moodiness.
- Show more interest in and influence by peer group.
- Express less affection toward parents; sometimes might seem rude or short-tempered.
- Feel stress from more challenging school work.
- Develop eating problems.
- Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.
Thinking and Learning
Children in this age group might:
- Have more ability for complex thought.
- Be better able to express feelings through talking.
- Develop a stronger sense of right and wrong.
YOUNG ADULTS
This is a time of changes in how you think, feel, and interact with others, and physical change. Your teen might have concerns about her body size, shape, or weight. Eating disorders also can be common, especially among girls. During this time, your teen is developing his unique personality and opinions. Relationships with friends are still important, yet your teen will have other interests as he develops a clearer sense of who he is. This is also an important time to prepare for more independence and responsibility.
Future plans and career choice
This is a phase in which the individual starts thinking about career choices and the future; this in itself can cause uncertainty and stress. Some teens know exactly what they want to do when they leave school and things such as subject choices and course selections come naturally and easily. Some teens, however, experience a lot of confusion about the future and have a lot of uncertainty with regards to subject choice in grade 10 and further education choices in grade 11 and 12. Confused teens can be supported with a comprehensive career assessment.
Here is some information on how teens develop:
Emotional/Social Changes
Children in this age group might:
- Have more interest in the opposite sex.
- Go through less conflict with parents.
- Show more independence from parents.
- Have a deeper capacity for caring and sharing and for developing more intimate relationships.
- Spend less time with parents and more time with friends.
- Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex and other problems.
Thinking and Learning (Academic & Learning Support)
Children in this age group might:
- Learn more defined work habits.
- Show more concern about future school and work plans.
Be better able to give reasons for their own choices, including about what is right or wrong.