2. What are the major developmental changes that occur during the school years?

Key Points:

• Consider the relatively steady growth in physical terms, but great progress in cognitive and social development.
• This is a period in which individual differences in the rate and extent of individual development become more evident.
• Sensory and physical capacities should be discussed, together with the extent to which they influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• The nature and characteristics of concrete operations should also be considered, together with related intellectual abilities, language and communication, social and emotional development, gender role development and peer relations.