Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development Ages 4-14

by Responsive Classroom, Chip Wood (Contributor)

A classic bestseller, now in its 4th edition! Yardsticks has helped countless teachers and administrators shape classrooms and schools where all children can succeed. For each age from 4 to 14, this book includes narrative descriptions of developmental traits, charts that describe physical, social-emotional, and cognitive growth patterns, and suggestions for age-appropriate tasks and materials for curricular areas.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Parenting, Professional Development, School, Teachers

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Responsive Classroom is a research-based approach to K-8 teaching that focuses on the strong link between academic success and social-emotional learning (SEL). We believe that a high-quality education for every child is built on the foundation of a safe and joyful learning community. We provide professional development for elementary and middle schools worldwide.

We have published over 40 books since 1990, including "The First Six Weeks of School," "The Power of Our Words," and "The Morning Meeting Book."

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this for the first time since my student teaching year, specifically the chapters on ages 10-14, which is the age group currently most relevant to me. I've always appreciated how Wood breaks down characteristics of each age into categories relevant to teachers and helpful for organizing thinking about them- cognitive abilities, the socio-emotional work of the age, picking out traits that are developmentally normal and important (read: not about you, teachers and parents!) to the work that kids are doing at that age, the reminders about students' physical needs, etc. I also appreciate his compassionate perspective on these older ages, as well as his recognition of and compassion for the perspective of adults finding it frustrating to deal with the developmental necessities of this age group, however necessary the work is. It's one of the few teaching books I've held onto from that year, and I super think all teachers should read it. It's not a handbook to "all kids this age are this way", and Wood himself says that some students may be developmentally a different age than they are numerically- but it's a general guide to stages that makes things comprehensible.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good benchmark for the basics of child development, as we understand it right now. Very helpful in driving instruction and development, and very helpful with how to work up acceptable behavior guidelines.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great curated and explanatory resource for understanding different childhood behaviors by age. I appreciate its acknowledgment of the being primarily centered on an American school system demographic while still curating sections to address how cultural diversity plays into the classroom. Along with that, I enjoyed how it discusses these as generalizations and that students very well might be at different ages mentally, physically, and within different settings. I know there is an updated version of this as this is slightly outdated at 2007, so I would be interested to see a version addressing the rise of technology in childhood development as well as LGBTQ students as this book did unfortunately seem to support at times diving students into male and female groups. Overall however an amazing resource and good foundational knowledge. It was entertaining to match both my own experiences at these ages, what I'm seeing in my classroom observations, and also comparing my niblings and their different ages through these developments.

[Beth Ernst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a general description of developmental milestones, as far as literacy is concerned, grade by grade. There are writing samples at every age, which is helpful in assessing student progress. At the end of each section, the author describes what the child should be doing in reading, writing, etc. as a typical child of that age.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and use it as a constant reference. If something has gone wring in my class, I can typically solve it with this book or The Responsive Classroom, either which way, I know I can fix most things by staying developmentally appropriate and adjusting self to norm with their cognitive development. I used to stick photocopies on the wall, but am thinking of getting the kids to make posters for me, and remind me when I am out of developmental range, train their own metacognition, and push them to growth, love Chip.

[Yzobelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yardsticks: perfect companion for K-12 teachers. This book provides us with what to watch out for in every year that a child grows. As teachers, it is good to be always reminded that our children are real – not objects that can be forced to fit into a box. Each child is unique! But thank nature for giving commonalities in every stage of human development. Otherwise, our classrooms would be chaotic ten times over!

This book gives us a sneak peek of how children usually are in every stage of their schooling. I’d recommend that teachers in K-12 levels take time to read this and be once more enlightened by the innate strengths and limitations of children that we sometimes miss out.

Though this is an academic reference book, the way of writing didn’t make it sound like it is. I loved the funny anecdotes the author injected in every stage. I read it as if I was reading one of the novels which I sooo wish I could grab time to read.

[Sarah Ryburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, accessible resource that proved invaluable in preparing a recent presentation on early adolescent development. Wood's exposition of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental markers has me thinking, a lot, about what a developmentally appropriate school really would look like.

[Kate Foran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yardsticks is somewhere between harmless and vaguely helpful. It's a little bit like reading astrological signs of elementary schoolers. It seems right-ish, but also very general. According to the Introduction, the research that supports this book is "observations," plus research that confirms many teachers agree with this book. It's not based on real child development research.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful book for understanding school-age children's behavior within a developmental framework. VERY user-friendly. Takes just a moment to look up a behavior and reach the "aha" moment.

[Mleander23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that focuses on students learning development as they age. Nicely written and bullet points highlight key areas.

[Colleen Chi-Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a classic and a must-read for every elementary teacher, curriculum consultants, reading and math specialists, directors, principals, and administrators. The best part is it is organized really well, EASY to read, with bullet points and side titles, in order to best grasp quickly in the moment, and to refer back to later. The table of contents and chapters are organized by broader guidelines, then one chapter for each age group from 4 years, 5 years, etc., up to 14 years. It's comprehensive and to the point, so when planning curriculum or preparing for a meeting, you go to only the section or sections you need to visit. BRAVO Chip Wood.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yardsticks is such a handy book for teachers! It breaks down what kids are usually like at different ages, from 4 to 14, in a super relatable way. The tips and examples are practical and easy to use in the classroom, which I loved. Some parts felt a bit repetitive, but the info is so useful it’s hard to mind too much. If you’re a teacher wanting to understand your students better and make your lessons more age-appropriate, this is worth a read!

[R C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will continue coming back to this book. I love the anecdotal, descriptive and bullet point components of this book. It's a helpful, easy reference to better understand children and where they are in their development. I wish there was a little more depth into the social characteristics of each stage, but otherwise I really find it to be an excellent resource.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased and read in preparation for the National Boards component 1 exam. I found it to be an easy read; offering clear and insightful looks at the development of children ages 4 to 14. I would recommend this book to anyone, educator or parent, who is interested in or needs a review of childhood development.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for parents, but better for teachers. Tells you what to expect from each year and what the child needs. Teachers should read their grades (ages) several times each school year. It will remind them what to expect. Some students always seem lower or higher than their grade. School boards, politicians, and administrators should read this to see what is best for students.

[Drianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful, honestly, and made me (personally) think a lot about the fact that I was almost a year (or more than a year, for those held back starting) younger than my classmates -- and why I didn't hit some of these milestones in the right grade at all. This would be a good one to refer back to if I were working with pre-HS kids.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A user friendly guidebook on developmental appropriateness from pre-K to high school. Great to keep in the classroom as a reference resource to see whether your child/students are developing appropriately!

[Kim Bevier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very handy guide that expectations for varying age levels in the classroom. Love the distinctions between critical ages - 12, 13, 14 especially! Extremely helpful for me to understand as I get ready to teach middle schoolers.

[Shauna Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this for parents, teachers, anyone who works with kids in this age group. This book is organized by age. It offers quick, easy to understand, and applicable knowledge for the development at each level.

[Chancela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid information for knowing where the "average" child should fall developmentally. This helped me with my own family.

[Chris Loeffler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important for all elementary educators to read.

[Amy Calkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource to keep in mind student development.

[Antoneta Gjolaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for teachers and parents.

[Michael DeCaprio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was initial sky put off by the generalizations. But anecdotally I found it accurate. I suppose if you know nothing about children, this is a place to start.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. Accurate, concise, easy-to-use.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really important read for educators!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been rereading this book for years - always good as a refresher.

[Victoria Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for quickly looking at children's or student's developmental capabilities. Great for teachers or parents, anyone who works or lives with children.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read chapters on Eight and nine year old children

[Hanna Musgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide for each developmental stage