Social Development in the Third Grade
According to psychologist Erik Erikson, social development begins at birth and continues throughout childhood with a predictable set of stages. By third grade, children have learned many appropriate social skills.
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Self-Discipline
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Erikson believed young, school-aged children learn to master life skills, including following rules. By third grade, children's need for self-discipline has increased.
Range of Ages
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As of 2008, kindergarten was mandatory in only 17 states. Communities vary greatly on availability of pre-kindergarten and early intervention program. Parental choice also plays a part as to when a child enters school. As a result, third graders can be as young as 7 and as old as 9.
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Seven-Year-Olds
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Seven-year-old children enjoy playing with friends and often imitate friends' behaviors at school. They begin to have empathy for others' feelings and prefer the structure of school.
Eight-Year-Olds
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Eight-year-olds have a greater need to be liked by peers. They have a better capacity to express thoughts and feelings and have a stronger sense of right and wrong.
Nine-Year-Olds
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Nine-year-old third graders create increasingly important interaction between friends. This often includes secret codes and made-up languages that help strengthen the bond between peers.
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References
- Haverford.edu: Erikson-Psychosocial Theory
- Child Development Institute: Stages of Social-Emotional Development In Children and Teenagers
- Teachersandfamilies.com: When To Start Kindergarten? Suggestions for Parents from the National Association of School Psychologists
- PBS Parents: Child Development Tracker
- CDC: Child Development-Middle Childhood (6 to 8 Years Old)
- Photo Credit Three children sit on coast image by Indigo Fish from Fotolia.com
