6-8 years old Milestone

Getting ready for school, here’s what to expect.

The majority of children will achieve these milestones between the ages of 6 and 8 years old. All children develop at different rates. Some children are slower than others (developmentally delayed) but catch up with time. Other children, however, may have an underlying problem that causes their development to be delayed, and they may not catch up.

Download Checklist

Evaluate your child with this checklist

It is important for these children to get as much treatment (early intervention) as possible. So if you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s development, see your child health nurse or doctor for help as soon as you can. If in doubt, it is better to have your concerns checked than to ‘wait and see’.

Gross Motor

  • Riding a two-wheeler bike (without trainer wheels by seven)
  • Becoming skilled with hopscotch and rope skipping
  • Getting skilled with a small-sized ball (and can catch it one hand)
  • Running up and down stairs
  • Enjoying participation in team games
  • Gradually becoming aware of own body and movement, and comparing to friends

Fine Motor

  • Holding and using pencil easily
  • Using fingers to write and draw rather than the whole arm
  • Learning to write within the lines
  • Gradually making letters smaller, more well-spaced and well lined-up
  • Able to cut out irregular shapes, glue accurately and use sticky-tape
  • Demonstrate independent dressing skills including shoelaces (usually by the end of first grade)
  • Able to brush and comb hair
  • Independent in all other aspects of self-care by the age of seven years
  • Aware of left and right

Talking and understanding

  • Understanding similarities, opposites
  • Communicating effectively in classroom and playground social settings
  • Understanding within the classroom
  • Understanding more complex grammar

Social

  • Participating in well established, rule-based group fames
  • Resolving conflicts without seeking adult intervention
  • Understanding the individual strengths and interests of other children

Intellectual

  • Able to tell right and left, days of week
  • Able to repeat three digits backwards
  • Able to count backwards from 20
  • Understand time and how to tell the time

Youthrive is providing this as general information only and it should not be relied upon as professional or medical advice. You should seek professional and medical advice for particular health concerns or manifestations. Our best efforts have been used to ensure this information is considered correct and current in accordance with accepted best practice in Queensland as at the date of production.

Originally produced by Child Development Network.

First Appointment

If you are a parent who has not had any experience with therapy services for your child, the process can seem quite overwhelming. Here’s what to expect at your first appointment.

1

Initial Consultation

The initial appointment is typically one hour in duration. Your child will attend this session for Speech Pathology, Dietetics and Occupational Therapy. For Psychology appointments you will need to check if your child is required for the initial consultation at the time of booking.

2

Information Session

The therapist will ask detailed information about your child’s family history, health and development, education and any concerns you may have.

3

Goals & Assessment

An assessment may be commenced during this initial appointment and goals for therapy will be established.

Make an Appointment