school-age care – eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

School-age Children in Child Care

Group of children

As children move from the preschool years into elementary school, their physical, thinking, language, social and emotional skills become more sophisticated. School-age children have a longer attention span and vocabulary, and their reading and writing skills improve dramatically as they begin to recognize words and read books aloud. School-age children enjoy being with friends and imitating the actions of friends. Their motor skills become more refined, and their reaction time becomes quicker.

Child care providers working with school-age children in …

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

What Child Care Providers Can Expect in the Physical Development of 6 – 8 Year Olds

Girl with braids and rain boots jumping

Six- to 8-year-olds are continuing to grow and develop their large and small motor skills. As they enter elementary school, children may begin participating in organized sports, dance, and other activities that require well-developed motor skills. Child care providers in out-of-school child care programs need to know the basic milestones of physical development in school-age children in order to plan challenging but realistic physical activities. The following lists detail some common physical milestones in 6- to 8-year-olds.

Between the ages

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