School-Age Children Trivia Quiz

Answer: They are less likely to become ill than preschoolers

School-age children appear to be heartier than their younger and older counterparts. Phyllis M. Click, Child Development specialist, states: "Illnesses and death occur less frequently than during infancy and preschool years or later in adolescence". ("Caring For School-Age Children," 2006). Additionally, while school-age children grow more independent with each year, they still rely on greater adult assistance than do teenagers.

Answer: False

Before puberty, both genders are generally similar in both height and weight. It is usually after the onset of puberty that one begins to see distinct differences in girls' and boys' body development.

Answer: Willpower

Most school-age children gain "about two inches a year...and weight gain averages of about six and a half pounds a year" (Gregory Germain, MD, Kaboose.com, 2008). A child's size is often the result of factors that include genetics, overall diet, and level of physical activity. Willpower, or the lack of, plays very little role in a child's physical development.

Answer: They have greater arm strength than girls

Throughout middle childhood, girls on the whole are slightly taller and more flexible than boys. They also tend to exhibit an enhanced aptitude for verbal skills. Boys, however, from the beginning normally have greater arm strength than girls, as well as the capability for faster muscle development given the same level of activity (Malina, "Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity," 2003).

Answer: Children are not "born smarter" than one another

Most children have their strengths in one area (e.g., linguistic, visual), but do not necessarily show the same aptitude in all areas. Indeed, very few people excel in all areas of learning. However, children's vocabulary typically grows at an advanced rate in early and middle childhood, and they enjoy expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

Some children, though, ARE born more intelligent than others. The study of intelligence is a complex and controversial field, but there is no denying that some children are just "born smart".

Answer: They accept the rules of their society

Jean Piaget, child development theorist, found through extensive research that young children easily accept rules set forth by adults. Until children begin to near adolescence, or the formal operations stage of learning, they unquestioningly accept the rules of family, society, and God. The rules presented to them by those in authority are "sacred, universal, and unalterable" (Nobles, "Children's Understanding of Social Rules and Social Status," 2003).

Answer: Yes, adults can teach and model relationship skills.

While adults cannot force all children to be friends (nor should they want to!), adults can play an active role in teaching and modeling positive relationship skills. Children are products of their environments, and are likely to imbibe and imitate behaviors they see in their every day lives. Adults can model ways to show kindness and compassion to others, while also explaining to children the rationale behind their actions.

Answer: Self-image can affect a child's behavior

Children's self image is often created by external factors, such as how they look and how others treat them. However, the perception of self-image is a two-way mirror: the way children perceive themselves and the way they think they are perceived by others. Children's self-image is often exaggerated and unreliable (e.g., "I'm the ugliest girl alive!" or "Everybody in the world hates me!"). Though the nature of self-image can be superficial and its development based on frivolous notions, its impact can be powerful. Children's behavior is affected by self-image.

Some children misbehave or put others down as a method of dealing with poor self-image.

Answer: Bullies are usually happy, secure children

Bullying is a widespread problem all around the world. The "Journal of the American Medical Association" reports: "While both male and female youth say that others bully them by making fun of the way they look or talk, males are more likely to report being hit, slapped, or pushed. Female youth are more likely than males to report being the targets of rumors and sexual comments" (Nansel, 2001). Bullies typically want to exert power over others, often due to their own insecurities or unhappiness.

Answer: Parent(s)

Researchers have consistently found that parents "are the most important influences on their child's emotional and social skills" (Vermont Research Partnership, 2005). Parents are normally their children's first friends, playmates, and teachers. Positive relationships with parents are the first step for children to become well-adjusted young people.