1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. School-Age Children

Child Development - The Eight-Year Old
The Eight-Year Old At Home

by Kimberly L. Keith
for About.com

Daily Routines

The eight-year old begins to have a big appetite, and some experience rapid weight gain. Parents can help control weight gain by limiting sweets and starchy foods. It is common for eight year olds to start having a later bedtime. She has to be reminded to go to bed and will put it off as long as possible. Eight sleeps soundly and rarely has nightmares. The average number of sleep hours is now ten.

Eight enjoys going places and doing things, any activity that involves being with others, especially his family. He loves being at school, playing with friends, belonging to clubs, and moving from one activity to another all day long. A family with an eight-year old should plan to be involved in lots of extracurricular activities.

Next > The Eight-Year Old - Building Character

Child Development - The Eight-Year Old

At Home

At School

At Play

Explore School-Age Children
About.com Special Features

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. School-Age Children
  4. Your Eight Year Old
  5. Child Development - The Eight-Year Old

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.