Children's Health

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By 7 years of age, most children:

• Begin to show a preference for a certain learning style, such as hands-on or quiet reflection.
• Develop friendships, usually with other children of the same gender.
• Like to be involved in some group play but need time alone too.
• Enjoy arts and crafts and physically active play.

By 8 years of age, most children:

• Generally think of things as "either-or." Things are either great or awful, ugly or beautiful, right or wrong. Children focus on one part of an issue at a time, which makes it hard for them to understand complexities.
• Are reading.
• Enjoy being around their friends. Some enjoy group activities, such as team sports.
• Have rapidly changing emotions. Angry outbursts are common. Many children of this age are critical of others, especially of their parents. They may seem dramatic and sometimes rude.
• Have well-developed speech and use correct grammar most of the time. Many children have well-developed conversation skills.

By 9 years of age, most children:

• Think more independently and are developing good decision-making skills. This reflects their increasing critical-thinking skills and ability to consider more than one perspective at a time.
• Have caring, solid friendships.
• Have gained a strong sense of empathy, which is understanding and being sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Are curious about relationships between boys and girls. Few will admit to this interest. And most will insist that they are horrified by the opposite sex.
• Speak well and pronounce words clearly.
• Become increasingly interested in team sports.
• Like to draw, paint, make jewelry, build models, or try other activities that use fine motor skills.

By 10 years of age, most children:

• Know the complete date (day of the week, day of the month, month, and year).
• Enjoy being with friends and often have a "best" friend of the same gender.
• Continue to enjoy team and group activities.
• Continue to insist that they are not interested in children of the opposite sex. But they may show off, tease, or act silly as a way of interacting with them.
• Have speech patterns that are nearly at an adult level.
• Sometimes seek out magazines and books in subjects of special interest.
• Have good control of large and small muscles. Some children enjoy activities that use all these skills, such as basketball, dancing, and soccer.