What challenges do 67-year-olds face as they learn new skills and face different social situations? How do their perceptions of the world change? How can we best support them in their move towards greater independence?This accessible book provides a wealth of information to help parents, educators and carers better relate to children at this exciting, yet demanding, stage of development. From the new-found sense of rivalry between siblings or classmates, to the anxieties children feel when making new friends, Corinne Aves offers guidance on encouraging children's development and helping them to cope with changing expectations of their behaviour. She discusses the various struggles in these children's lives such as the conflict between a child's continuing desire to please his parents and the pressure to follow the leads of his friends and gives tips for supporting children's increasing understanding of morality. Chapters on both school and family life explain the need for discipline and order in middle childhood', while specific areas of development such as reading skills and learning difficulties are addressed with sensitivity and insight.Understanding 67-Year-Olds will prove an enlightening read for anyone hoping to better understand children at this important stage of their lives.
Foreword, Jonathan Bradley.; Introduction.; 1. A Changing Self.; 2. A Place in the Family.; 3. The Experience of School.; 4. Making Friends; 5. Reading for Meaning.; 6. Confusions and Anxieties.; 7. Conclusion.; Further Reading and Helpful Organizations.; Index.
As my youngest child is just coming up to her sixth birthday I was hoping to gain a new insight into her world with this book. I wasn't disappointed, as a Childcare provider we aim to treat all children as individuals but most of our training seems to be aimed at the 0-5 age range. There is a tendency to feel that older children are moving along happily and unless there are any obvious problems they can be slightly overlooked. This book was fascinating explaining the physical and mental changes that children undergo during this time. Moving from being a young child with a belief in the magical side of life to an independent learner finding their way in the world. Corinne Aves has observed children at school and during play and includes anecdotes from home as well to illustrate her points.
Written in a friendly, approachable style this book would be suitable for parents, however I feel it is aimed the key stage one teachers more specifically.
