Cognitive Capable of Dealing with Multiple Variables at One Time | Industrious | Intellectually Curious | Lower Levels of Imagination |Self Criticality | Struggles with Abstraction
Language Age of Negatives | Descriptive | Interested in New Vocabulary | Embellishes and Exaggerates | Dirty Jokes |Graffiti
Social Anxious | Aloof | Critical | Focused on Fairness | Highly Competitive | Impatient | Moody | Picks Up on Adult Faults | Seeks Individualism | Self-Aware
In The Classroom: At age 9, students have an increase in complexity of ideas and technical skills so they can handle more in depth art projects. They are starting to explore their identities and who they are outside of the context of their family. Incorporating their interests and visual culture can help to keep students engaged in projects at this age.
Age 10
Cognitive Can Think Abstractly | Competent at Memorizing | Desires and Needs Rules and Logic | Interested in Classification, Collection, and Organization | Longer Periods of Concentration Possible | Problem Solvers | Proud of Academic Accomplishments
Language Close Listeners | Competitive | Cooperative | Enjoys Reading | Eager to Show or Explain Things | Friendly
Physical Muscle Development | Increased Need for Physical Activity | Poor Handwriting
Social Enjoys Being Social | Fairness Substantially Meaningful | Maturing | Mood Swings |Sense of Morals | Works Well in Groups
In The Classroom: At age 10, students have developed a greater attention span and an understanding of abstract ideas, allowing for projects to incorporate metaphor and symbolism. They have an increase in socialization, and a decrease in self confidence, so providing opportunities to incorporate their independence and interests will help in developing positive life skills. Collaboration with peers would be another way to have them build a sense of community.
Age 11
Cognitive Abstract Thinking Possible | Advances in Deduction | Comprehension of Making and Modifying Rules | Enjoys New Activities Over Reflection
Language Adult Language Pattern Imitation | Argumentative or Mean Behavior Possible | Enjoys Comedy | Increased Phone Use | No Verbal Filter
Physical Active | Constantly Moving | Growth Spurts in Girls | Increased Appetite | Learning Fine Motor Skills | Physical Aggression Common | Requires More Sleep | Talkative
Social Argumentative | Can Be Away From Home Longer | Cliques | Extreme Emotions | Moody | No Impulse Control | Pushes Limits | Self-Absorbed | Trouble Making Decisions
In The Classroom: At age 11, students are starting to experiment with different forms of identity and rebellion. Giving them further opportunities to incorporate their interests and exploring their emotions through journaling or sketchbooks can be a good outlet for these new emotions. They also have an increase in fine motor skills, so more fine detail art practices can help develop this.
Age 12
Cognitive Able to Understand Both Sides of An Argument | Beginning to Exhibit Emerging Skills In Varying Areas | Enhanced Ability to Think Abstractly | Interested in Current Events, Pop Culture and Materialism | Enhanced Organizational Skills Help With Research, Study and Skill Advancement
Language Able to Use Double Meanings and Word Play | Enjoys Conversing With Both Adults and Peers | Enjoys Using Slang | Sarcastic
Physical Bodily Changes Require Food to Fuel Body | Energetic | Growth Spurts Start | Possible Menstruation Beginning | Naps Are Necessary | Physical Eduction and Sports Crucial | Puberty
Social Adult Personalities Begin to Develop | Can Set Short Term Goals | Empathetic | Enthusiastic | Fronts Feeling Secure | Increased Reasonability and Tolerance | Insightful | Prefers Peers over Teachers Including When Learning | Self-Initiating
In The Classroom: At age 12, students have an awareness of the world outside of themselves, so bringing in social justice or environmental issues is a great way to connect them to the community and life outside of school. They prefer to socialize with peers over adults at this age, and group collaboration, peer pairs or other forms of student interaction is a great way to increase their skills of discussing and interpreting art. Further identity exploration can help them understand how they react to the world around them and how they have the power to critique and change it.
Age 13
Cognitive Able To Begin To Reason Abstractly | Challenging of Intellectual and Social Authorities | Intellectual Ideas Tend to Be Incomplete | Protective of Self | Sensitive | Shy From Intellectual Tasks | Unwilling To Take Academic Risks | Withdrawn
Language Extreme Language Use and/or Volume Around Parents | Rudeness | Sarcastic or Short Responses
Physical Boys Begin to Hit Growth Spurts | High Energy | Hygiene Issues | Many Girls Reach Mature Height | Most Girls Have Started Menstruation | Puberty Begins to Drop Boys' Voices
Social Boys Begin to Form Groups/Gangs | Conscientious of Appearance | Easily Hurt (feelings) | Enjoys Being Alone | Enjoy Creating Collections | Girls Can Become Interested In Older Boys | Greater Interest In Electronics, Music, and Sports | Masks Fear With Meanness | Horseplay (boys) | More Prone To Peer Pressure | Quieter Than Before | Sensitive | Stresses Over School
In The Classroom: At age 13, students are increasingly independent from the adults in their lives, yet more withdrawn and introspective. Keeping projects and critiques positive can help foster their fragile self esteem. Allowing students more independence and choice within projects is also a great way to develop their sense of confidence in their art making.
Age 14
Cognitive Able To Admit Errors And Correct Them | Bored Easily | Cognizant of Larger Issues | Desire To Find Solutions | Further Abstract Reasoning | Interested In Technology | Responds to Academic Challenges and Variety
Language Group Discussion Important | Interested in Vocabulary | Negotiation of Adult Language | Peer Language Patterns Important
Physical Boys Begin to Develop Upper Body Strength | Boys May Experience Growth Spurts | Girls Almost Fully Developed | High Energy | Healthy | Loud | Possible Substance Abuse Is Influential | Rambunctious | Require Physical Exercise | Some May Become Sexually Active
Social Adult Personality Begins To Develop | Attitude Of A Know It All | Differing Personalities At Home Compared To School | Dislikes Adult Lectures | Embarrassed By And Of Parents | Enjoys Participating In A Variety Of Things |
In The Classroom: At age 14, students are starting to form their own opinions of the world around them, and feel even greater independence from adults. Their art making can combine content with greater research into content. They have a greater grasp of technology and complex ideas, so projects that incorporate multiple skills or processes such as pottery, photography or mixed media can help develop their art making repertoire. Use of technology also encourages more risk taking in artwork due to the nature of being able to experiment without permanent changes.
References:
Wood, C. (1994). Yardsticks: Children in the classroom ages 4-14. Greenfield, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children.
