Cognitive development for Children aged 6 and 7 years involves a shift from learning through modeling to learning through language and logic. These children are able to apply logical reasoning, abstract thinking, solve complex problems, make decision, and maintain longer attention spans (Pollack, n.d. b). The language development milestones involved in this stage include the ability to use words and develop language for communication. They have better memory and thus have a vocabulary of several thousand words, correct grammar most of the time, and can understand complex communication dilemmas (Pollack, n.d. c). Motor development in this stage involves development of both gross and fine motor skills. This means that children have better control and coordination of their movements and they can thus involve in activities such as dance, bike riding, and sports that require balance and eye-hand coordination (Pollack, n.d. a).
There is a correlation between cognitive, language and motor development in children. Cognitive development involves the development of the brain and by the age of 6-7 years, a child’s brain is usually 90% of its adult size. Generally, the left hemisphere of the brain controls speech and language development. The broca’s area helps to form and articulate language. The Wernicke’s area is associated with understanding language and the angular gyrus helps to associate different language related stimuli (Sousa, 2017). Motor skills are controlled by different parts of the brain. The basal ganglia controls position and voluntary movement, and the cerebral cortex and cerebellum control and monitor muscle movement. The motor cortex helps to control body movement and works with the cerebellum to help learn fine motor skills (Sousa, 2017).
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The relationship between cognitive, language and motor development can be seen during play. For instance, since a child has developed logic and reasoning, they are able to comprehend the rules used to play complex games such as junior scrabble or crossword puzzles. They use their language skills and reasoning to identify words needed in the games, and fine motor skills such as writing or holding small objects to fill the gaps. Without proper development in any of the three milestones, playing such a game that needs mental and physical coordination would be impossible. When coaching sports for this age group, cognitive and language skills can be utilized to teach children the rules of a sport and motor skills to teach the child how to play physically.
References
Pollack, S. (2015). Age 6 & age 7 motor development milestones | Howcast [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.howcast.com/videos/513294-Age-6-7-Motor-Development-Milestones-Child-Development/
Pollack, S. (n.d.). Age 6 & age 7 cognitive development milestones [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.howcast.com/videos/513295-age-6-age-7-cognitive-milestones-child-development/
Pollack, S. (n.d.). Age 6 & age 7 language development milestones [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.howcast.com/videos/513296-age-6-age-7-language-milestones-child-development/
Sousa, D. A. (2017). How the brain learns (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
