By the age of 5, most children are ready to start learning in school. In the first few years, the focus is on learning the basics.

In third grade, the focus becomes more complex. Reading is more about the content than identifying letters and words.

Attention is important for success at school and at home. A 6-year-old should be able to focus on a task for at least 15 minutes. By the age of 9, a child should be able to focus their attention for about an hour.

It is important that the child learns to deal with failure or frustration without losing self-esteem. There are many causes of school failure, including:

• Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia

• Stressors such as bullying

• Mental problems such as anxiety or depression

If you suspect any of these in your child, talk to your child’s teacher or doctor.

Language Development

Early school-age children should be able to use simple but complete sentences averaging 5 to 7 words. As the child progresses through the elementary school years, grammar and pronunciation become normal. Children use more complex sentences as they grow.

Speech delays can be due to hearing or intelligence problems. In addition, children who are not good at expressing themselves are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour or outbursts of anger.

A 6-year-old child can normally follow a series of 3 commands in a row. By age 10, most children can do 5 commands in a row. Children who have a problem in this area may try to cover it up by backtalking or fooling around. They will rarely ask for help for fear of being teased.

Behaviour

Common physical ailments (such as a sore throat, stomach, arm or leg) may simply be due to the child’s increased body awareness. Although there is often no physical evidence of such complaints, the complaints should be evaluated to rule out possible health problems. This will also reassure the child that the parents are concerned about their well-being.

Peer acceptance becomes more important at school age. Children can participate in certain behaviours to be part of “the group”. Talking to your child about these behaviours can help the child feel accepted in the group without overstepping the bounds of family behaviour standards.

Friendships at this age tend to be mostly with members of the same sex. In fact, younger school-age children often refer to members of the opposite sex as “weird” or “terrible.” Children become less negative towards the opposite sex as they approach puberty.

Lying, cheating, and stealing are examples of behaviours that school-age children can “try on” as they learn to manage the expectations and rules imposed on them by family, friends, school, and society. Parents should discuss these behaviours privately with their children (so the child’s friends don’t tease them). Parents should show forgiveness and punish in a way that is related to the behaviour.

It Is important that the child learns to deal with failure or frustration without losing self-esteem.