The Basics

Increases in height and weight become steadier, on average child gains over 2 inches and 5 to 7 pounds per year.
Growth proceeds in a cephalocaudal direction, from the head downward through the body.
By the time children move into middle childhood, their legs are growing more rapidly than their trunk or upper body- they continue to move closer to the proportions of an adult
As the relative sizes of the head, trunk, and lower extremities finally come into balance
Motor Development: Starts off still uncoordinated. Becomes more streamlined and coordinated
Boys are slightly heavier and taller than girls until 9 or 10
Muscular strength increases for both boys and girls
Males develop more muscle tissue ; girls more fatty tissue
Until age 13 or 14, girls will surpass boys in height and weight
Growing Pains
- Between 25% and 40% of children experience growing pains
- Often in their thighs, calves, or behind their knees, and occasionally in their arms
- Usually in the late afternoon or early evening
- Not actually caused by growth. likely the result of fatigue from excessive physical activity.
Permanent Teeth
- Between 6-12 children lose their primary teeth and permanent teeth grow in
- Permanent teeth are grown in at their full adult size and may seem too large for a child’s face
- Facial bone’s “catch up” eventually (will be proportional)

Motor Development

Gross Motor Skills
- Pathways between cerebellum and cortex become increasingly myelinated
- Increase in balance, coordination, and strength
  - Children engage in games/athletic activity that require movement of large muscles
- Complex movements like climb, swim, skate
- Organized sports: contributions of physical and cognitive abilities (working memory, following directions, perceptive of others)
- Individual differences still present
Safety is paramount – kids active, need to be supervised, proper safety gear, helmet etc. Prevent broken bones and injury
Fine Motor Skills
- Holds pencils similarly to adults
- Handwriting – script, cursive
- Abilities to dress - Ties shoes, zippers, wash themselves, coordinate eating utensils
- Maintenance of hygiene functions develop accordingly
As they get older, skill deficiencies not only affect their ability to play with peers, but also their ability to meet the demands of the school environment.
- For example, they may be challenged by classroom tasks that require fine motor skills, such as using a pencil or scissors.
- The child may not be able to complete his work in a timely way and this can begin to impact feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem.
- The child also may not be able to take care of functional tasks, like getting into or out of clothing or feeding himself.
This trajectory can be changed in a positive direction, but may require intervention, especially if impacting daily functioning skills

Increases in height and weight become steadier, on average child gains over 2 inches and 5 to 7 pounds per year.
Growth proceeds in a cephalocaudal direction, from the head downward through the body.
By the time children move into middle childhood, their legs are growing more rapidly than their trunk or upper body- they continue to move closer to the proportions of an adult
As the relative sizes of the head, trunk, and lower extremities finally come into balance
Motor Development: Starts off still uncoordinated. Becomes more streamlined and coordinated
Boys are slightly heavier and taller than girls until 9 or 10
Muscular strength increases for both boys and girls
Males develop more muscle tissue ; girls more fatty tissue
Until age 13 or 14, girls will surpass boys in height and weight
Growing Pains
- Between 25% and 40% of children experience growing pains
- Often in their thighs, calves, or behind their knees, and occasionally in their arms
- Usually in the late afternoon or early evening
- Not actually caused by growth. likely the result of fatigue from excessive physical activity.
Permanent Teeth
- Between 6-12 children lose their primary teeth and permanent teeth grow in
- Permanent teeth are grown in at their full adult size and may seem too large for a child’s face
- Facial bone’s “catch up” eventually (will be proportional)

Gross Motor Skills
- Pathways between cerebellum and cortex become increasingly myelinated
- Increase in balance, coordination, and strength
  - Children engage in games/athletic activity that require movement of large muscles
- Complex movements like climb, swim, skate
- Organized sports: contributions of physical and cognitive abilities (working memory, following directions, perceptive of others)
- Individual differences still present
Safety is paramount – kids active, need to be supervised, proper safety gear, helmet etc. Prevent broken bones and injury
Fine Motor Skills
- Holds pencils similarly to adults
- Handwriting – script, cursive
- Abilities to dress - Ties shoes, zippers, wash themselves, coordinate eating utensils
- Maintenance of hygiene functions develop accordingly
As they get older, skill deficiencies not only affect their ability to play with peers, but also their ability to meet the demands of the school environment.
- For example, they may be challenged by classroom tasks that require fine motor skills, such as using a pencil or scissors.
- The child may not be able to complete his work in a timely way and this can begin to impact feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem.
- The child also may not be able to take care of functional tasks, like getting into or out of clothing or feeding himself.
This trajectory can be changed in a positive direction, but may require intervention, especially if impacting daily functioning skills