Children & Adolescents Clinic

 Home Parent's Guide

Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

Normal Development: 9 Years Old

Physical Development

  • acquires greater small muscle coordination
  • has increasing dexterity
  • usually does not have much gain in height and weight from previous year
  • favors active, highly-charged games and sports
  • wants to excel in sports and recreational skills
  • becomes more interested in clothing and appearance
  • loves bathroom humor

Emotional Development

  • becomes self-absorbed and introspective
  • tends to be critical of self
  • takes comfort in knowing others experience similar troubling feelings

Social Development

  • has ideas and interests independent from parents
  • does not like anything "different"
  • wants to talk, dress, and act just like friends
  • is involved in informal clubs and small groups of the same sex
  • begins to just sit and talk with friends

Mental Development

  • uses reference books with increasing skill
  • becomes immersed in a hobby or project, then drops it for another
  • may be a perfectionist
  • generally follows instructions
  • is developing personal standards of right and wrong
  • is highly concerned about fairness

Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's development. While certain attitudes, behaviors, and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. Consequently, these guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general progression through the developmental stages rather than as fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones later than the general trend. Keep this in mind as you review these milestones.

If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your pediatrician or family physician.


Written by Donna Warner Manczak, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Copyright 1999 Clinical Reference Systems