7 main psychological characteristics of schoolchildren

Going to school is like going into outer space. A lot of questions, a lot of unknowns, and a lot of gear. But if everything is more or less clear with the equipment, then with other, more subtle aspects of school reality it is more difficult. Child psychotherapist Ekaterina Kuzmina tells us how to support and what to pay attention to.

1. Separation from parents. A child who goes to 1st grade becomes an independent unit. He must make his own decisions and interact with the outside world. If he is not ready for this, the combination of innovations (academic workload, the appearance of new adults in the environment, the team) can provoke the fear of losing parents. It is important to introduce the child to the class teacher in advance and attend preparatory classes for school with future classmates. This is for those who are just starting first grade in September.

2. Increased workload. At school, the workload increases significantly, so you should not enroll your child in new sections. Introduce the activity gradually, after a few months. The reason why a child can have a hard time bearing loads is the change of playing behavior to learning behavior. A sudden change in activity creates anxiety. You can put your favorite toy in a backpack as a symbol of permanence. And in the evening, draw and replay possible difficulties and problems together with the child, find scenarios and solutions. The child will rebuild over time.

3. Communication with peers. During this period, friendly relations are actively built, so it is important to use examples to tell what friendship is. If there is a quarrel, give the child the opportunity to resolve the conflict himself. Support, but don't get actively involved.

4. Area of responsibility. At the age of 8-9, a child has a desire to be useful. He needs to allocate space (for example, his room), where only he will be in charge. It is not necessary to shift all responsibility onto the child, but it is important to say that his parents really need his help.

5. Independence. 10-11 years old is the age of Tom Sawyer, the period when a child begins to walk independently and communicate with children without the participation of parents. At this age, communication skills with peers are built. It is important to give the child freedom.

6. Preparation for puberty. 11-12 years - the beginning of puberty. The child's mood may change, he becomes closed and at the same time requires more attention. A change in the emotional background can frighten a child. It is important to tell how feelings manifest themselves, how to deal with them, and how to avoid negative emotions. “Calm down", “stop crying” - this is, in fact, a ban on emotions. Instead, try to find out what exactly angered or upset the child. Let the child understand that he can discuss any problems with you.

7. Self-perception. The child's body begins to change, the child becomes critical of himself, begins to think about his appearance, and reacts painfully to criticism. It is important to speak correctly about his appearance and not compare him with other children.