1. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

2. SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
School-age children includes children between the ages of 6 and 12. Between ages 6-11 a child will usually grow about 1 foot and double their weight.
Girls tend to grow faster than boys and will reach about 90% of their adult height by age 10 or 1. Boys usually achieve about 80% of their adult height by age 11.
Fine and gross motor skills improve dramatically because of the muscle growth and strength and the increase in the myelination in the central nervous system.

3. ORGAN DEVELOPMENT
Instead of the brain growing much in size during the school-age years it becomes more specialized in certain areas.
A child’s heart starts pumping more efficiently and their blood pressure will increase.
Lungs continue to grow and breathing becomes more efficient as the number of breaths per minute decreases and less oxygen is exhaled.
Children tend to have fewer stomach upsets, and better bladder control.

4. ORGAN DEVELOPMENT
The senses improve greatly making for better eyesight and hearing.
In the later stages of the school-age years children start to enter puberty.
Puberty is the process in which the body becomes capable of reproduction. The physical changes that occur will take a few years but the arrival of sexual maturity in girls is signaled by their first menstrual cycle and for boys their first ejaculation.

5. SKELETAL GROWTH
School-age children continue to grow slowly but steadily.
Some children, mostly girls, will have a growth spurt in the later stages of the school-age and this signals pubescence.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT – school-age children’s height increases more than their weight. This occurs because height is genetic and not as affected by environment.
BODY PROPORTIONS – During the school-age years children tend to look more like small adults. Their bodies become more proportionate to look adult-like instead of protruding abdomens and large heads.

6. SKELETAL GROWTH
BONES & TEETH – As bones ossify and grow longer, the most significant changes occur in the teeth and jaw. School-age children have a more mature- looking face and start loosing their deciduous teeth. Their permanent teeth start coming in usually it will be the six-year molar’s first as these are used for grinding.
FAT & MUSCLE – Fat will usually account for about 15% of body weight. Starting with puberty girls tend to put on more weight than boys. Muscle strength doubles during these years but strength is still immature. Children at this age may complain about aches and pains because of their muscles growing. These pains are called growth pains and are common at this age.

7. MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
The maturing of a child’s body during the school-age years leads to refined motor development. Children at this age have boundless energy that they like to expend doing various gross motor activities.
In the later years of school-age development the fine motor skill come into play as children want to do more arts and crafts, build things, play musical instruments, write, draw and other tasks requiring the use of fine motor skills.

8. MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Motor skill improve during the middle childhood years due to physiological factors such as the following:
Reaction time – School-age children tend to react more quickly to stimulus such; as a kicked ball.
Precision – School-age children are better able to perform motor skills accurately such as; balancing, aim and steadiness.
Speed & Strength – school-age children have greater speed and strength
Flexibility – School-age children are able to bend, flex, and stretch more easily.

9. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
6-7 YEAR OLDS
Are constantly active
May fidget
Have a better sense of balance and timing
Colors within the lines
Draws pictures
Has improved hand-eye coordination

10. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
8-9 YEAR OLDS
In constant motion –jumping, running, hopping
Dresses self completely
Is skillful using hands, tools, playing instruments
Kicks, throws, catches and hits a ball with growing skill
Has smooth and quick large motor skills

11. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
10-12 YEAR OLDS
Shows greater strength and endurance
Engages in sports and games
Applies gross motor skills to sports and games
May feel awkward during growth spurts
Has excellent fine motor coordination