Development of 4 to 9 years

Intellectual Development

By the age of 6, children often use language as well as some adults. Normally language develops very fast between 2 and 6 years.  Between the age of 2 and 7 years, most of the children learn to count and to explain how much things weigh.

Language Development

At round two years of age most children have started to speak, using two word phrases such as 'Melissa park', meaning Melissa wants to go to park. As children grow, they start to use their own type of language pattern to communicate such as 'I want drink', Young children of 2 or 3 years do not use adults language, and it is probably best not correct what they say. They can use adult speech and have a reasonable knowledge of words by the age of 5 or 6 years. Although, children continue to develop their knowledge of words and ability to understand and use speech throughout their childhood. They may go through stages of language development such as the stages listed below:

1. Using Sentences 'Joe come in and the cat come in'
2. Short phrases 'I want milk'
3. Being able to ask questions 'What that'
4. Adult sentences 'I would like a drink and piece of cake'
5. Two word statements- 'Dog goed'

Social Development

Young children still depend very much on their carers to look after them. They need secure emotional ties with their family. As children develop, they become more and more independent, but the family provides safety and setting in which to learn social roles. Young children use imagination to play-act social roles.

Emotional Development

As children develop language skills, they can understand and explain who they are in more detail. Children develop from being aware of themselves at 2 years of age to being able to describe their feelings by 9 years. They need to feel that they are valued, cared by their friends and family. Self- concept means out knowledge of who we are. This sense of self forms a basis for an effective concept of self to develop during their adolescence.