Fourth Grade

Physical Characteristics

  During fourth grade students are around the age of 9 and are going through a variety of changes. This is a very critical time in the development of children. In this section we will highlight some of the most common characteristics for this age.
 

• increase in body strength
• improves coordination, hand dexterity, and reaction time
• average height is 4'4
• puberty may begin in girls
• increase interest is sports

Intellectual

  In this stage students begin to develop more advanced problem solving skills and are able to handle more concrete concepts.  Children start to gain independence by making decisions on their own and coming up with their own ideas. Some of the most common characteristics are listed below.
 

• according to Piaget students are in middle childhood which is the Concrete Operational Stage
• can deal with problems and tasks using senses
• use logical reasoning
• do not do well with abstraction or deductive reasoning
• develop stronger writing skills
• children can write thoughts and give examples

Social and Emotional Characteristics

  This section contains a wide range of information surrounding likes and dislikes of fourth graders. Understanding this aspect of development is most helpful when dealing with this age on a daily basis. Listed below are important characteristics found among fourth graders.
 

• narrower variety of friends-females have fewer, closer friends while males have more, less intimate friendships
• loyalty becomes important in relationships
• social support is necessary
• increase ability to perceive others feelings
• strengthen bonds of relationships
• begin to create their own clubs (secret codes and languages)
• fashion becomes important
• increase interest in video games
• become increasingly interested in the opposite sex
• daydreams about future and careers
• develops special interest in hobbies and collections
• begin to question authority
• identify and criticize their parents weaknesses
• they are frequently scared and lonely when left alone

    Favorite Books

• Harry Potter
• Picture of Freedom
• Charlotte's Web

• "Annie"
• "The Matrix"
• "Sleepy Hollow"
• "Mighty Joe Young"
• "Stuart Little"

• N'SYNC
• 98'
• Backstreet Boys
• Britney Spears
• Will Smith

• Art
• Sports
• Writing
• Reading
• Go-carts
• Biking
• Running

Teacher Tips

    The most important tip is to have an overall awareness of the characteristics listed above. A great activity to allow students to share about themselves would be a "Me Map".  Encourage students to keep journals that include their thoughts, actions, and feelings through out the year.  Be aware that this is not the most difficult stage to deal with children so don't over analyze their actions.  Although they may believe that they need minimal supervision it is important to their development that they feel secure.  Children are fun at this age and they need teachers who can support that.

Resources

• Parents Place
• Observations of 2 fourth grade classes in Watauga County, North Carolina (Fall, 2000)
• Notes from Human Growth and Developmental Psychology classes at Appalachian State University
• Interview with a fourth grade teacher (Fall, 2000).

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