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Unit 3 The Learner
Children Ages Five to Seven
You only have to walk into a classroom of young children to be
convinced about each child’s individuality. Every student has a distinct
personality and unique combination of interests, abilities, and experiences.
Some children cannot sit still, while others are quiet. Some children are
comfortable with change, while others are fearful of new experiences.
As a group, five- to seven-year-olds are talkative, imaginative, and
are great at exploration. They focus on the present rather than the future.
They show their feelings through laughs, smiles, and tears. Adult approval
is important to them, and they are eager to learn. Children at this stage
can be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. In their friendships,
they can be cooperative yet competitive.
Physical Growth and Development
Compared to the fast pace of growth from birth through age four,
height and weight slows somewhat during the period from ages
five to seven. On average, children grow two to three inches
and gain four to five pounds per year. Heredity primarily
influences height. Weight is also dependent on nutrition
and adequate exercise. During this time, children’s
bodies look longer and leaner. Boys and girls are
similar in size.
The toothless smile of a first or second grader is
one of the happiest smiles you will find (Figure 7.4). Over
a period of several years, each baby tooth falls out and a
larger permanent one replaces it. As the child’s jaw grows
to its adult size, additional permanent teeth grow in place.
Gross-Motor Skills
Children at this stage are generally eager to
conquer new physical skills. Development of their
gross-motor skills is better than their fine-motor skills.
Successfully swinging across the bars at recess,
throwing a ball, or making a swing fly as high as it will
go makes them feel grown-up and independent.
Five- to seven-year-olds are full of energy. Not
only can children jump, skip, and hop, but they can
also run fast, dodge objects, and change directions.
They can jump over objects, climb trees, and roller
skate. These activities build muscle strength and
continue to improve balance and coordination.
Figure 7.4 As physical development
continues, fi rst and second graders
experience the loss of baby teeth, which
are replaced by permanent teeth.