Body changes indicate the approach of puberty. Children at this age are very active and may need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Small muscles develop rapidly so that activities like playing musical instruments or building things are more enjoyable. Children are accumulating knowledge so fast that they are often perceived as smart-alecks. Attention spans have increased to 30 minutes.
Children are able to stay focused on a project until it is completed.
Their vocabularies are expanding, and they should be skillful in reading and writing. A sense if independence is developing. But fears about the unknown, failure, death, family problems, and rejection are common. A sense of humor and the concept of right and wrong continue to develop. Children want to feel constructive, useful, and industrious.