11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?

print

School-Age Kids Parenting Tips (6, 7,

8, and 9-Year-Olds)
The best advice for raising happy, healthy school age kids.
By Katherine Lee
Updated October 31, 2018

School-age kids are busy bundles of energy. Their personalities are clear and they develop
some distinct interests and talents.

Understanding your school-age child’s needs can ensure that you’re helping him stay as healthy
as possible so he can be at his best. These strategies can also help you instill lifelong healthy
habits in your child.

Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell

https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 1/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

Daily Life
Your school-age child is likely to be quite independent in many areas of her life, including her
hygiene habits. She’s likely to be able to take her own shower but she might need a little
supervision to ensure she gets all the shampoo out of her hair.

Similarly, your school-age child should have the motor skills she needs to brush her teeth. But,
she might need some encouragement to brush longer or she may need some supervision when
it comes to flossing.

While some school-age kids are pretty compliant with taking care of their bodies, others may
need a little extra support.

Diet and Nutrition

Grade-schoolers are notoriously finicky about food. The boy who once gobbled down every
Brussels sprout set before him may suddenly swear he hates them. The girl who was always
perfectly happy to drink water with her afternoon snack may start begging for soda. Chances are
these sudden shifts in appetite have less to do with a child's taste buds and more to do with
wanting to fit in with his peers.

Children between the ages of 4 and 8 should get between 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day
depending on their activity level. At 9 years old, boys need between 1,600 and 2,600 calories
and girls need between 1,400 and 2,200 calories, depending on their activity level.

To help make sure your child is nourished properly, here are some things you can do:

Stock the house with healthy choices only. Make it easy for your child to see and reach
fruit, veggies, yogurt, milk, and cheese.
Limit liquids before a meal. Discourage him from filling up on milk or juice before meals.
If his tummy is full of fluid he won't feel much like eating solid food.

Make mealtimes as happy as possible. Don't try to make your child eat when he isn't
hungry, or force him to eat something he doesn't like. And never use food as a bribe or
reward when you want him to do something or punish him for not eating. Steer the table
talk to pleasant topics; save the discussion about that note from his teacher for after
dinner.
Give him some freedom. Even if he asks for the same ham sandwich in his lunchbox
every day or the only green thing he'll go near is broccoli, as long as he's got plenty of
energy and is growing normally, you really don't have to worry too much about what he's
eating. In fact, most kids don't eat a balanced diet every day, but over the course of a week
https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 2/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

or so will manage to get the full variety of nutrients. If you're really worried about your
child's nutrition, a check-in with the pediatrician should put your mind at ease.

Set a good example. He may be a big kid, but your child is still looking to you for
guidance. In other words, eat as you want him to eat. Even if he doesn't follow suit at the
time, he'll be influenced by your choices.
Reserve sweets for an occasional treat. Avoid serving high-calorie, sugary treats on a
regular basis. Your child doesn’t need a sweet dessert every night after dinner and don’t
send him to school with cookies, cakes, or candy.

You can consider giving your child a daily vitamin if you think he is not eating well, although most
children don't need them.

Physical Activity

Children need about twice as much physical activity each day as adults need.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that school-age kids get one
hour or more of physical activity each day. Much of that activity should include aerobic activity.

Running, playing soccer, or riding a bicycle could be good aerobic activities for children. Muscle
strengthening activities are also important. Crossing the monkey bars on the playground or
climbing trees are just a few activities that strengthen their muscles.

School-age kids should also participate in bone building activities. Basketball, tennis, running,
jumping rope, or games such as hop-scotch can be good ways to build their bones.

Recess, gym class, and sports activities can count toward your child’s physical activity
recommendation but it may not be enough. Incorporate physical activity into your family life. Go
for a family walk after dinner, take hikes on the weekends, or go swimming together as a family.
You also might enjoy playing pass, going to an obstacle course, or kicking a ball around
together.

Your child will learn healthy habits by watching you so make sure you are a good role model
when it comes to physical activity.

Around the House

Most school-age kids are eager to take on some responsibilities of their own. Even if your child
already makes his bed and keeps his room clean, he'll likely welcome some age-appropriate
chores that are more "grown up," like being the designated dishwasher emptier or being in
charge of the recycling.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 3/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

If you can, come up with different options for him to choose from. He'll be more likely to follow
through on doing something he picked.

It's usually not a great idea to pay a child for doing chores that are part of being a good citizen,
like picking up on his own room. Better to consider his housework his contribution to family
teamwork. Praise his effort and hard work. Positive reinforcement will boost his self-esteem and
encourage him to stick with those.

However, a great way to start teaching a child around 7 or 8 years old about money is by giving
him an allowance. It doesn't really matter how much, but one reasonable way to calculate a
child's weekly stipend is to give him a half dollar to a whole dollar per year of age—between
$3.50 and $7 for a 7-year-old. Managing even this small amount will help your child learn the
value of money and the importance of saving.

At this age, your child will still be eager to spend time together as a family. He might be open to
doing just about anything with you, from a family board game night to a pizza party.

It’s a great time to expose your child to a variety of activities, from baseball games to hiking trips.
Family activities will teach your child about himself and give you an opportunity to develop a
strong bond.

Health and Safety

Start teaching your school-age child the steps she can take to keep herself healthy and safe.
While it's important to monitor her activity, try giving her some opportunities to make healthy
choices for herself.

Visiting the Doctor

As long as your child is healthy, your child’s pediatrician will likely recommend annual check-ups.
During those visits, you might expect:

An examination of your child's growth and development.

A review of diet and sleep schedules

Measurement of his height, weight and blood pressure.

Counseling for injury prevention, dental health, and a proper diet.

A review of school performance.

Immunizations: Varivax booster (if your child hasn't had chickenpox), HepB and HepA
series - if not already given.

A vision and hearing test.

Some common health issues in children this age include:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 4/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

Skin issues like rashes or poison ivy

Nosebleeds

Earaches

Constipation

Upper respiratory infections

Vomiting
Diarrhea

Mental Health

Mental health issues may develop—or become apparent—during the school-age years. Kids can
become depressed or anxious, or they may show signs of behavior disorders or ADHD.

If you have concerns about your child’s mood or behavior, talk to your pediatrician. Early
intervention can increase the success of treatment.

Sleep

Bedtimes for children at this age range greatly. So while your child might say his friends stay up
until 9 p.m., you might still be giving your child a 7:30 p.m. bedtime. But don’t feel bad if your
child goes to bed earlier than his peers. Sleep is vital to your child’s health and development.

School-age kids should get between 9 and 12 hours each night.

If your child has trouble waking up in the morning, trouble staying awake during the day, or she
seems overly emotional, she might not be getting enough rest.

Establish a bedtime routine for your child. Shut off all electronics a couple of hours before she
goes to sleep and consider any other distractions that may be interfering with her sleep.
Encourage her to read books or engage in some quiet activities before going to bed.

Related: How Much Sleep Children Need by Age

Safety

Grade school is an ideal time to help a child learn to watch out for his own safety.

Teach street smarts. Remind your child to look both ways more than once before
crossing, for example. Go over what he should do if a stranger approaches him. Make sure

https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 5/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

he knows not to get into a car with someone he doesn't know, even if that person claims
you said it would be okay.
Go over with your child what to do in an emergency. Make sure your child knows how
to dial 911, what constitutes an emergency and what to say to the dispatcher.

Accidents are the biggest risk your child is likely to face at this age. These strategies can reduce
your child’s risk of death or injury.

Don't ditch the booster seat. A kid who's itching to assert his independence may beg to
stop using one. Unless your child is big for his age, though, don't give in. Car accidents are
the leading cause of death among kids, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP). The best way to keep a child safe in the car is to keep him in a booster seat until
he's at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall—a height most kids don't reach until they're between 8
and 12.

Enforce safe play. This means making sure your child uses any safety gear that's
necessary for the activity he's doing. For instance, if he's biking, he must wear a helmet
that fits appropriately. If he can't swim yet, consider lessons.

Insist on proper sports equipment. If your child plays a sport, make sure he has the
proper gear, such as a mouth guard, helmet, and knee pads. Make sure his equipment fits
properly and educate yourself about the signs of a concussion.

Technology

Your school-age child is likely to show interest in the internet. Some of his friends may even
have their own smartphones or tablets or they may be talking about social media.

While there’s nothing wrong with kids enjoying technology under the watchful eye of an adult,
the internet can be dangerous for kids who lack supervision. From mature video games to online
predators, there’s a lot of content young children shouldn’t be exposed to. But, there are also
other hidden dangers, such as junk food advertisers who market their content to children online.

In 2016, the AAP updated their screen time recommendations for kids. While in the past, they
recommended no more than two hours per day for school-age kids, they now recommend
parents consider the positive and negative effects of electronics on children and use common
sense when setting limits.

High-quality programming can be educational for kids. But, too much screen time can be
harmful. They caution parents not to allow screen time to interfere with adequate sleep, physical

https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 6/7
11/25/2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print

activity, and other behaviors essential to health.

Pre-approve any computer games and movies your child wants to watch, and know what he may
have access to at his friends' homes. Use parental controls as well.

Establish healthy limits on screen time too. Don’t allow your child to have a TV in the bedroom
and don’t allow him to play unlimited video games.

In addition to taking a toll on his psychological well-being, too much sedentary activity isn’t good
for his physical health. So encourage your child to spend a lot of time playing outside or
engaging in face-to-face interactions with his peers.

Your School-Age Child’s World

School work becomes increasingly difficult as children age. So this is a time when some kids
begin to thrive while others struggle to understand more advanced concepts.

For many families, homework can be a serious struggle. Many school-age kids are reluctant to
sit down and study for a spelling test or complete their math homework.

Many kids are busy with sports, music, and after-school activities. Others, however, may prefer
to spend endless hours on their digital devices. It’s important to keep kids mentally and
physically active at this age.

Friends become a bigger deal during this time too. It’s a good idea to support your child in
seeing peers outside of school. Attending birthday parties or playing with kids on the playground
can be good for their development.

Bullying can become a problem around this age. It’s important to talk to your child about
kindness and respect so he doesn’t become a bully and it’s also imperative that you talk about
what he can do if he becomes a target.

Sources:

American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use. American
Academy of Pediatrics. Published October 21, 2016.

Middle Childhood (6-8 years of age). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published January 3, 2017.

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States,
2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 6, 2018.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/parenting-advice-for-school-age-kids-620716?print 7/7