CASE STUDY OF

A CHILD AGE 7
APRIL MCCLURE
EDU 220 - 1001
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF 7-YEAR-OLD
OBSERVATION
Physical Development Emotional Development Cogntive/Intellectual
• Coordination skills • Develops more Development
• Kids awareness of confidence and • Inquisitive
physical activities awareness • Indecisive
• Shows independence
• Sensitivity to criticism

Psychosocial/Social Moral/Character
Development Developments
• Empathetic • Helpers
• Winner, no loser • Are more responsible
• Shows persistence
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS

• Growth spurts start to occur • Development of hand-eye coordination

• Will start refusing to eat with utensils and not fully mature
use their hands • Able to choose their outfit themselves and
• Table manners: will talk while their mouths dress/undress on their own
are full
• Will get sick more often
• Very active, ball of energy
• Clumsy

(University of Washington, (Child Development

1993) Institute, 2015)
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL ACCORDING TO SNOWMAN
• Extremely active/restless especially when nervous
• Fidgeting
• Rest periods
• Will get worn-out by burning so much energy
• Fine-coordination is far less developed than large-muscle control,
especially in boys
• Children at this age tend to not foresee some of the dangers while playing
extreme activities
• Very confident and have great control of their bodies

(Snowman, J. & McCown, R.,

2013)
7-YEAR-OLD PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTERISTICS (OBSERVATION)
The 7-year-old girl I observed is shorter
than some of the kids her age. She does fit
into the physical development when it
comes to being very active and clumsy.
She would jump off the swing set and when
chasing other kids around, she did fall quite
a few times. She was also consistently
running around and dancing with her
friends with little rest in between.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Supervise your child when he’s engaged in risky activities, such as
climbing.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

• Teach your child to watch out for traffic and how to be safe when
walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

• Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and

firearms out of your child’s reach.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

• Talk with your child about how to ask for help when she needs it.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

• Don't point out or emphasize clumsiness or change of appearance.

(University of Washington, 1993)
TYPICAL EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORS
• Self- Awareness
• Will start to understand • Will become more
their feelings and other’s independent
feelings • More concerned for others
• Self-Control than own self
• Will know the difference
(Center for Disease Control
between appropriate and
and Prevention, 2017)
inappropriate behavior
• Self-Confidence
• Goal setters and will start
to learn new skills • Sensitive to criticism
• May feel or punishment
intimidated/insecure if • Blames others of
they can’t master new cheating if they lose
skills or sees someone
who is better than them (University of
Washington, 1993)
(PBS Parents, 2017)
TYPICAL EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORS
ACCORDING TO SNOWMAN
• They have a hard time adjusting to failure
• Children at this age look up to people but if the child is
criticized or ridiculed by that person, it will lead to feelings
of disappointment in themselves.
• Recommends staying away from constant ridicule and to
give praise or recognition more often

• They are always wanting to meet their teacher’s needs, such

as doing well on their assignments and helping around the
classroom

• Starts to understand other people’s feelings

• Children in this age group do not realize how much words
or teasing can hurt someone unless the roles were
reversed

(Snowman, J. & McCown, R., 2013)

7-YEAR-OLD EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR
CHARACTERISTICS
My 7-year-old did show signs of
jealousy when one of her friends was
playing with another peer. When told to
make new friends, she immediately got
upset and started to cry asking why her
friend wasn’t playing with her.
After explaining friends come and go,
she started to calm down and
understood she can make and have
more than one [best] friend.
 EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Help them learn how to make good
• Don’t be too harsh when
choices and to manage their fears and
disciplining
frustration by giving them simple
• Be sensitive towards their
strategies they can remember
feelings and show affection
• Encourage them to be confident by
giving them encouragement and helping Center for Disease Control and
them refrain from feeling unmotivated or Prevention (2017)
self-doubt
• Introduce new words to increase their
vocabulary to help them explain their • Give them opportunities to
emotions experience being independent
• Set limits when they start to
(PBS Parents, 2017) give an attitude
• Play games where it is fair for
all; no winners

(University of Washington, 1993)

TYPICAL COGNITIVE/INTELLECTUAL
DEVELOPMENTS
• When under stress, they may
• Starts to ask elaborate
stumble over their words
questions and expects
detailed answers
• They have a hard time
narrowing down their choices
• Enjoys games that are
when they want so many things
more competitive
all at once
(Child Development
(University of Washington, 1993)
Institute, 2015)
COGNITIVE/INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTS
ACCORDING TO PIAGET & VYGOTSKY
Piaget Vygotsky
• Their ability to observe and • Things are learned through social
retain information is interactions in which knowledge is
advanced shared or passed down

• Concrete Operational • Psychological Tools

Stage
“The child is capable of
mentally reversing actions
but generalizes only from
concrete experiences”
(Snowman, J. & McCown,
R., 2013, p. 27)
“These are the cognitive
devices and procedures with
which we communicate and
explore the world around us”
(Snowman, J. & McCown, R.,
2013, p. 33)
7-YEAR-OLD COGNITIVE/INTELLECTUAL
CHARACTERISTICS

I feel that the characteristics fit my 7-year-old because she does ask A
LOT of questions. Even after I answer them, she asks questions about
that as well so it was an ongoing question and answer dialogue. She is
also curious about everything such as how they work, how they
are/were created, the meaning of everything, etc. She is very
interested in watching science videos, DIY videos, and anything that
would be useful for daily use or how to make alternatives if
shorthanded on materials.
 COGNITIVE/INTELLECTUAL
DEVELOPMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS
• Don’t offer multiple options
• Allow them to make their
own decisions
• Encourage them into doing
more literacy activities
(University of Washington,
1993)
• Encourage them to set their
own goals they want to
achieve
• Get involved in their
education. This will allow
both parent and child
understand the learning
goals and helps the child to
perform well.
(Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2017)
PSYCHOSOCIAL/SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENTS

• No longer wants to be kissed in public, • Are starting to be more

especially boys selective when having friends,
usually based on mutual
• Maybe a distraction in class interests

• Will also constantly tell on someone • Will understand other people

won’t feel the same way they
• Are more verbal when angry do

(University of Washington, 1993) (PBS Parents, 2017)

PSYCHOSOCIAL/SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENTS ACCORDING TO
ERIKSON
“Industry versus Inferiority”

Industry results from the child: if

he/she is encouraged and praised for
completing tasks well or for even
trying

Inferiority results from the child: if

he/she is continually being let down
for their tried efforts

(Snowman, J. & McCown, R., 2013)

7-YEAR-OLD PSYCHOSOCIAL/SOCIAL
CHARACTERISTICS
I noticed my 7-year-old who I observed
would say she is friends with one person
one day and then the next day they are
not. She would say the same thing about
her “music band” she formed in school.
She always likes to help and when given
more opportunities to do other tasks she
would always jump at the chance to do so.
PSYCHOSOCIAL/SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS
• Be sensitive towards their feelings
• Help them understand the meaning of
defeat
• Guide them on how to make new friends
as well as keeping friends
(University of Washington, 1993)

• Use discipline, not punishment

• Plan fun activities to do as a family
• Give recognition and praise for good
behavior
• Don’t focus on or criticize their mistakes

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

TYPICAL MORAL/CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENTS
• Courageous
• Kids will start to face their fears and try new skills
• Resilient
• Doesn’t give up when wanting to achieve a goal
• Honesty
• Knows the importance of telling the truth but may also cover up a truth
to protect a friend
• Compassion
• Shows empathy towards people
• Gratitude
• Expresses their appreciation
• Responsibility
• Takes on roles that are meaningful and helpful

(PBS Parents, 2017)

TYPICAL MORAL/CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENTS ACCORDING TO
KOHLBERG
• 2 stages:
• Punishment-obedience orientation
• “The physical consequences of an action determine goodness or
badness” (Snowman, J. & McCown, R., 2013, p. 41)

• Instrumental relativist orientation

• “Obedience to laws should involve an even exchange” (Snowman,
J. & McCown, R., 2013, p. 42)

(Snowman, J. & McCown, R., 2013)

7-YEAR-OLD MORAL
CHARACTERISTICS
My 7-year-old who I observed can be shy at
times when it comes to trying new things like
skateboarding or soccer, but when she gets a
hang of it, she starts to feel comfortable. She
also is shy when she meets new people; she
isn’t really one to start a conversation. She
does know to stay out of trouble but
occasionally breaks the rules when she feels
like she won’t get caught, such as hiding her
food in a napkin and throwing it away if she
doesn’t like it. She also shows a lot of
compassion towards people who are in need
of things and offers a way to help such as
paying for someone’s food.
MORAL/CHARACTER DEVELOPMENTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Be a good role model
• Help them build their confidence
• When giving praise, don’t use short phrases. Instead, offer praise on the task they
completed.
• Remind them why they started their goal if they decide to give up
• Explain the importance of honesty
• Allow them to do household responsibilities that are age-appropriate
REFERENCES
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Child development.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html

Child Development Institute (2015). The ages and stages of child development.
Retrieved from https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#.WR3Id_QrLrc

PBS Parents. (2017). Child development tracker Ages 2- 8. Retrieved

from http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/

Snowman, J. & McCown, R. (2013). ED PSYCH. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development

guide. Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/
chidev/cd06.htm