DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE
FOR 3RD GRADE STUDENTS
AGE 8

Physical Development

• This is generally a very stable age/stage.
• Small muscle coordination (using muscles of the wrists, hands, and fingers) is consolidating, making reading and writing easier.
• Physical health is usually good with fewer illnesses and reported aches and pains.
• The child typically enjoys rough-and-tumble type activities and may have more accidental injuries-- broken bones, etc.
• Often enjoys “dirty” words or stories, though usually secretive and less comfortable in sharing such things with adults.
• Interest in sexuality continues, but is typically covert (not openly shown).
• Large muscle coordination (e.g., jumping, running, etc.) has become a "joy" with the child enjoying doing bike tricks, gymnastics moves such as cartwheels, flips, etc. and outdoor activities.
• Physical play may take on gender specific characteristics, but limitations should not necessarily be encouraged (e.g., boys play football, girls dance).

Emotional Development

• The child frequently takes on too much, but then grows anxious.  In the newly found ability to see self as others might, there is a tendency to over dramatize failure.
• The child frequently has great beginnings and loses steam before completion.
• It is helpful for adults to assist a child’s efforts by providing energy toward the end of any project he attempts.  This will help the child experience the good feeling that comes from following through with efforts.
• The child has often reached an emotional plateau with fewer fears and has less of a focus on gruesome things and fantasy and instead centers more on reality and truth.
• The child appears ready for any and everything, but the tendency to be easily hurt is close to the surface.

Philosophical/Moral Development

• There is typically a real understanding of goodness and badness or right and wrong and child will express a belief that some actions or people are bad and some are good.
• This is generally a time when parents take credit for the behavior and compliance as well as the good nature that is natural for a child this stage.
• Moral reasoning is very black and white, with the focus primarily on self...the reason to avoid doing wrong is to avoid being punished or viewed as bad.
• The Golden Rule notion of treating others as you would like to be treated is beginning to be formed.
• Children often tattle and express: "That's not fair!"

Social Development

• Child is actively growing in terms of social development.
• Being less self-centered, the child is ready for a real relationship with someone other than family members-- usually a "best friend."
• The relationship with at least one parent tends to be strong.  The child demands to be personally valued and understood and expresses a need for closeness.
• Sibling relationships usually do not show much change.  The new ability to see another's point of view does not usually extend to siblings, so fighting, tattling and jealousy with siblings continue.
• There is a tendency for many children this age to experience envy and possessiveness.

Intellectual/Cognitive Development

• The child is often fascinated with real world animals, stars, and science in general.
• Children who are behind in school seem willing to relearn tasks missed.  Review to firm up previously learned skills will usually be appreciated.
• The child is firmly able to use concrete operations (the ability to use logical reasoning rather than relying on perceptions).  Can follow a sequence of events, even when they are not linear.
• Thinking is more logical.
• Child can mentally isolate variables and mentally reassemble variables to solve a problem.
• There is movement to a less egocentric (a belief that others are experiencing the world as they themselves are) view of life, world, others.