Six-Year-Olds
What are the characteristics of six-year-olds?
Six-year-olds are in the stage of "sorting out." They also experience great drive and eagerness.
What Are Six-Year-Olds Like?
PHYSICAL:
- Increased visual discrimination
- Sloppy; in a hurry; speed is a benchmark of 6
- Noisy in classroom
- Falls out of chairs
- Learning to distinguish left from right
- Oral activity; chews pencils, bites fingernails, chews hair (teething)
- Easily ties
- Frequent illnesses
- Enjoys out of doors: gym
- Improved fine motor skills
LANGUAGE:
- Likes to "work"
- Likes to explain things
- Enjoys show & tell
- Loves jokes and guessing games
- Boisterous and enthusiastic language
- Worrier; complainer
PERSONAL-SOCIAL:
- Wants to be first
- Competitive; enthusiastic
- Anxious to do well
- Thrives on praise
- Any failure is hard
- Likes surprises, treats
- "Poor sport"
- Can be bossy, teasing
- Easily upset when hurt
- Sometimes dishonest
- Friends are important (may have a best friend)
- Transitions are difficult
ADAPTIVE:
- Loves to ask questions
- Likes new games; ideas
- Loves to color, paint
- Learns best through discovery
- Enjoys process more than product
- Dramatic play elaborated
- Cooperative play elaborated