Page 203 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Unit 19: Organizing Counseling Services at School Level

counseling, the counselor is involved with a group of counsellees. In addition, counseling may be Notes
preventive and curative. The Guidance/Counselor believes in the individuality of people. To him
every individual is a unique special person, who is capable of developing his potentials and
capabilities to the fullest, if properly guided.

19.1 Nature of the Child in the Elementary School

All growth follows a pattern, and each child has his own built-in growth pattern and ‘timetable’.
Some mature very rapidly in all areas, and others lag behind their age group in one or more of the
four areas of development — physical, mental, social, or emotional. In addition, the same child may
show both spurts and lags in his growth and development.

These differences are mainly the result of the built-in growth pattern but may be influenced to a
limited extent by disease, nutritional deficiencies, or other extreme environmental deprivations.
19.1.1 The Child from Six to Ten

Middle childhood usually covers the years between six and ten. In this period the child is growing
in all parts of his body but less rapidly than in early childhood. Muscular growth and coordination
are uneven and incomplete, but manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination have developed
sufficiently to allow the child to use his hands and fingers for writing, drawing, sewing, and playing
musical instruments.
He still has better control over the large muscles than he does over the small. The child needs
opportunities for active play to release pent-up energy and a balance of rest and relaxation to meet
the increasing demands which school places upon him.
This is the period when children begin to recognize differences in how boys and girls are expected
to behave.
These children are becoming more independent, are learning to take more responsibility and to
show increasing control of emotions. This is a period of emerging values with some concern about
right and wrong.
19.1.2 The Child from Ten to Thirteen
Children in grades 4 to 6 have received only limited attention in research and in the study of human
growth and development.
These children are active and want to be on the move. Physical growth is slow, and health is good.
Some, particularly the girls, may be maturing more quickly and may advance into the more rapid
growth phase of prepubescence. The child of twelve or thirteen may show evidence of physical
ungainless and awkwardness of movement.
This is the period when children are showing a tendency to draw away from adults and to turn
toward their peers for companionship and for modes of living. Independence in ideas and activity
is normal behaviour at this age.
These children need support from both adults and peers, for both help in defining acceptable limits
of behaviour. In many cases children show fears and worries which centre in developing
independence, parental and school expectations, and home problems. Competition may also be a
threat to emotional well-being.
Later childhood is characterised by a desire to learn and by a wide variety of interests. The child is
developing an understanding of cause and effect, forming concepts, and beginning to solve simple
problems.

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