Early School - 5 to 8 years
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Early school-age children are cheerful, energetic, and enthusiastic. They enjoy planning, and spend a great deal of time discussing who will do what. Pretend play is still an important learning experience but throughout this stage pretend and fantasy lessen considerably.
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School-agers have an increasing interest in real life tasks and activities and want to make "real" jewelry, take "real" photographs, and create "real" collections.
- Projects and crafts that can be completed in one sitting are most satisfying. Attention spans are increasing but it is still important to do craft projects where the pleasure is in the doing not the results
- Five to eight year-olds are beginning to have greater control of their bodies. Encourage them to spend time running, hopping, skipping, jumping, riding and climbing to gain confidence in this new found coordination.
- Early school age children are beginning to understand rules and to take turns and to enjoy board games and simple card games. Both cooperative and competitive games have their place. They both help children prepare for the adult world and help all children feel like winners.
