Cognitive CHanges
- Look hard and often anxiously for explanations of facts, how things work, why things happen as they do
- Read to learn, instead of learning to read
- Take pride in attention to detail and finished work, but jump quickly between interests
Social/Emotional Changes
- Like to work with partners of their choice- usually of the same gender
- Can work in groups but spend more time arguing about facts, rules, and directions than on the activity
- Very competitive- need adult sense of lightness and fun to help them relax
- Like to negotiate- this is the age of "Let's make a deal"
- Generally worried and anxious- need adult patience and clarity to understand directions
- Very self-critical - sarcastic sense of humor can be hurtful
- Tend to give up on tasks- encouragement to try again builds up their fragile sense of competence
- Laughing with 4th graders is the best medicine