Nine Years | Download to Print

PHYSICAL
Acquires greater small muscle coordination
Has increasing dexterity
Usually does not have much gain in height and weight from previous year
Favors active, highly-charged games and sports
Wants to excel in sports and recreational skills
Becomes more interested in clothing and appearance
Loves bathroom humor

EMOTIONAL
Becomes self-absorbed and introspective
Tends to be critical of self
Takes comfort in knowing others experience similar troubling feelings

SOCIAL
Has ideas and interests independent from parents
Does not like anything "different"
Wants to talk, dress, and act just like friends
Is involved in informal clubs and small groups of the same sex
Begins to just sit and talk with friends

MENTAL
Becomes immersed in a hobby or project, then drops it for another
May be a perfectionist
Generally follows instructions
Is developing personal standards of right and wrong
Is highly concerned about fairness

PARENTING
Read to your child every night
Limit the amount and monitor the quality of screen time(includes TV, computer and video games. Become familiar with internet safety. Do not allow computer or TV in bedroom. Discuss with your child what to do if accidentally views an inappropriate website.
Provide a quiet, well-lit place for homework
Be available for supervision
May want to start an outside group activity (soccer team, dance class, Girl Scouts, church group, etc.)
Get to know your child's friends and their parents
Provide supervision for your child after school. This is the best protection against future problems.