I recently started a series of posts talking about the normal developmental characteristics of children as discussed in my book Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14. In this post I’ll describe some of the characteristics of younger, on-age, and older third grade students.  As always, please feel free to leave your comments, impressions, and thoughts on your children by clicking on the “Comments” link at the end of the post.  Read on for age-by-age details.

Younger (seven year old) third grade patterns and behaviors
• Tend to be sensitive and moody
• Prefer to work alone or with a partner or best friend (friendship patterns change often)
• Pay attention to detail, completion of work
• Good organizational skills; appreciate structure
• Handwriting and drawing tends to be tiny and anchored to the baseline of papers
• Need quiet space and times for individual work and silent reading
• Favorite themes: natural science (parks, meadow, stream, etc), our neighborhood

On-age, eight year old, third grade patterns and behaviors
• Expanded ability and interest in talking about ideas and using academic vocabulary
• Like to work in large groups in the classroom
• Do not always finish assignments without extra time or prompting
• Can master math facts such as addition, subtraction and some multiplication
• Enjoying being a class leader, being responsible for a class or school job
• Have trouble remembering homework
• Favorite themes: community institutions (bank, newspaper, police,)

Slightly older, eight year old, third grade patterns and behavior
• Often impatient with self, work performance, peers, teachers, parents
• Can be anxious, worried about friendship issues, world or family events
• Nightmares may re-emerge
• Fairness and justice important in the social sphere
• Most often used word: “boring”, needs adult translation
• Industrious and intellectually curious in classroom; either in a hurry or dawdling
• Physical aches and pains; frequent visits to nurse for some
• Favorite themes: environmental issues, space, poetry, long ago and far away

Eight year olds in third grade believe in themselves, their capacity for learning, their teacher’s belief in their capacity for learning and their ability to be partners with their classmates in the adventures of the school year.

They see third grade as an adventure, loving best the field trip, the school play, All School Meetings, Field Day, sports, recess and lunch, but they are good natured and cooperative about getting their school work done so long as they can keep on talking. They are chatty to be sure!

Homework, on the other hand, is a challenge, requiring notes pinned on the refrigerator, backpacks, the car door, the bathroom mirror. “No TV until your homework is done” rules, or After School Program attendance where homework is the first thing completed before enrichment activites are offered.

Parents and teachers serve as directors of high energy when children are in third grade. A good deal of structure and focus is actually appreciated by children at this age.