Your little one’s 8th year will be a hugely exciting one! They’ll become more and more curious about the world around them and come home from school having learned something new each and every day.

However, we know it can often be tricky to track your child’s progress as they get older. But don’t worry! We’re here to take you through a guide to major milestones in each area of development and explain what your child should be able to achieve by the time they’re 7 years old.

Just a quick reminder: children develop at their own pace. Please don’t overthink or stress if they’re not meeting these milestones the moment they turn 7.

So, let’s begin with the language and cognitive milestones.

Language and cognitive thinking:

Now that your little one is 7 years old, you can expect to hear many full, complex, and articulate sentences. This means they’ll talk rather a lot, ask plenty of questions, and enjoy having more mature conversations. When it comes to speaking, they’ll have close-to-perfect grammar and understand that many words have different meanings.

At this age, they'll hopefully have gotten used to school and have gained some fairly solid maths, reading, and writing skills, which will lead to them reading in their own time and doing so for pleasure. Be sure to encourage this as much as possible.

What are the language and cognitive milestones?

Now that your child is 7, they’ll have a better understanding of the concept of time, including minutes, hours, days, and months.

They’ll pronounce words they previously found difficult with ease.

You’ll find your child is able to articulate thoughts and feelings, communicate with strangers, and have them understand you.

Some words will still prove difficult to pronounce, and they’ll need lots of spelling practice.

Hands, fingers, and movement:

During this time, your child’s gross and fine motor skills will continue to develop. If given the opportunity, they’ll now easily ride a 2-wheeled bike, and they should even manage to tie their own laces. They’ll also comfortably hold a pen or pencil and manage to write 5-word sentences and several paragraphs at a time.

What are the physical milestones?

Your little one should be able to write their own name with ease and even use scissors.

They should be able to dress themselves from head to toe without your help.

They should be able to catch and throw a ball.

Physical skills that require competent coordination should prove easier now than before.

Social and emotional intelligence:

Now, more than ever before, your child’s friendships will seem more meaningful, and they’ll also form closer relationships with other adults in their lives, including other family members and teachers. Their ability to empathise will only continue to develop, but it’s also very normal for a 7-year-old to become a little more self-conscious and vulnerable. That being said, many children will still enjoy their alone time too.

What are the social and emotional milestones?

They have greater empathy for others.

They develop deeper and more meaningful relationships.

They may show a tendency for jealousy when it comes to friends and siblings.

How can I help my child keep learning and growing?

Although they’ll be reading a great deal at school, encourage them to read as much as possible when at home too, and talk about what you read. It's also a pivotal time for social development, so take them to playdates and extracurriculars so that they have plenty of opportunities to interact with others.

7-year-olds benefit from a routine and gain independence from weekly chores. You should also be prepared to help them navigate their emotional world as they experiment with limits and boundaries. Give them the words they need to express their difficult feelings.

When should I be concerned about my child?

It’s important to remember that all children develop at different times, so if your little one doesn’t quite meet every milestone listed above, don’t worry just yet. That being said, if you notice any of the following, it’s worth speaking to your paediatrician:

If they’re unable to completely dress themselves,.

Their fine motor skills (writing, lacing, etc.) are underdeveloped.

They find it difficult to participate in age-appropriate activities and sports because their coordination is lacking.

They seem to struggle with their academics where their peers do not.

What are the development milestones for a 7-year-old?

Unii shines a light on the milestones your 7-year-old should be hitting.