Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development

by Chip Woods, Center for Responsive Schools (Editor)

Helping children grow and learn starts with understanding their development!

Drawing on decades of educational experience and a wealth of research, Yardsticks invites every adult who teaches or cares for children to celebrate the incredible developmental journey that occurs from ages four through fourteen. Combining easy-to-access information about the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical characteristics unique to each age with practical advice for how to apply this knowledge, Yardsticks offers parents and educators a foundation for helping children grow and thrive.

New in the Fourth Edition

Updated and streamlined design that makes the text easier to use as a reference
Revised introductory material with practical advice for getting to know and understand children
Each age now enhanced with information specifically for parents
New age-by-age narratives that highlight what s intriguing, delightful, and sometimes challenging about children at each age

Genres: Education, Teaching, Parenting, Psychology, Nonfiction, Teachers, Counselling

188 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2018

Reviews

[LaDonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start by saying that I never planned to read a work-related book during my summer vacation; however, I was not disappointed with this one. I think Chip Wood has done an excellent job pulling together and relating the developmental stages of academic, social and emotional growth of both children and adolescents. Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development Ages 4 - 14 provides information in an extremely user-friendly way. As an educator and parent, I found myself saying: "Oh, that explains it"; "Wow, I didn't know that"; "Yes, I've seen that"; "Oh my! The fun is just beginning".

Each chapter speaks to a different age and opens with a great anecdote that previews where our young people are emotionally and socially at that specific age. Yardsticks is also sprinkled with various art works of children. These works only solidify Mr. Wood's data within that particular stage of growth.

Trust me, this book is a quick read that I am sure you will find useful. I only wish Mr. Wood had provided some type of spreadsheet or summary where you could visibly see the growth and development. A visual representation that shows any similarities and where the deviations become permanent would have been very useful. (I made a notes for myself, but it was a lot of work flipping back and forth and trying to remember where I read something. LOL).

[Jess Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think this was a good "reminder" book, it wasn't very enlightening. Having 6 kids myself, there wasn't much (if anything) in here that opened my eyes to anything new about their development.

However, it's probably a good book for anyone who works with children (teachers, pastors, etc) or for those who haven't already experienced watching a child or two go through these stages of development and growth already.

[Asher Hougo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly should have picked up this book sooner in the summer. (I'm teaching Sunday School at my church) I feel like I'm reading a Cheatsheet. Chip Woods does an outstanding job laying out kids' developmental stages as they grow up! Literally anyone planning on teaching or working with Kids, you gotta read this book!

[Ja’Miyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and insightful read. As someone who works with children, I found it helpful in understanding both the growth and mindset of kids at different stages of development. The book outlines what behaviors, emotions, and abilities are typical for children ages 4–14, which made it easy to connect the information to my everyday experiences. It helped me better understand why children act the way they do at certain ages and reminded me to adjust expectations accordingly. This book is a great resource for anyone who works with or cares for children and wants a clearer picture of their developmental journey.

[Anna Lazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good child development crash course. Perfect as a refresher I hope to come back to frequently now that it’s on my bookshelf. Feel free to skip all the beginning chapters. I do wish this was updated with the technology impact.

[Yara Hossam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in such an easy way that it feels like I'm flipping through it and not reading. I particularly like how specific it is to each age even though that contrasts the concept of differentiation within the same classroom, but nevertheless, this gives an overall guide on what to expect from each age. I'm already planning for my next year because of this one. It got me excited to teach 2nd graders again instead of 3rd graders. Let's see how next year will work. First I have to finish this one!!
Great book for parents and teachers alike. A lot of easily interpreted skits and stories to help comprehend what the age sounds, and feels like. Surely will read it again when I have my own kids one day.

[Sean Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a college education course, and I believe this book has some good general information for a future teacher to have before they enter a classroom. For example, the book describes social and behavioral trends, common interests, and some classwork goals for every age from 4-14. However, because the book covers such a large age range it’s more of a general idea and if you’re looking for specific or more detailed information this book won’t have too much in that regard. Nonetheless I believe it was worth the read as a quick overview of what a new teacher may expect to see in a classroom, or as a quick review of specific age groups.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was recommended by a fellow National Board candidate. I picked up a copy and devoured it. It’s laid out in very straightforward and easy to read chapters by age. I found myself starting at my teaching age range but then going back to age 4. I have so much to look forward to in watching my nieces develop.

Everything for my age range of 10-14 added up perfectly. I found myself nodding along and saying yes out loud so many times.

This book gives you some baseline data for each age 4-14: emotionally, physically, mentally and academically. I definitely have some ideas to try out!

[Kole May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned this book in a book club for one of my classes in college. I like this book as it was extremely helpful knowledge for someone who is not a teacher yet but aspires to be one. It gives a good broad idea of the age ranges I witnessed during my observations. It gives slightly basic ideas for each range but it is understandable for the wide rang this book covers. I would recommend this book to all future teachers.

[Corey Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yardsticks is an easy-to read and understand description of what to expect from young to adolescent children in terms of social-emotional and academic growth. I reread the relevant section for the grade level I teach each fall before the school year begins as a refresher. We also distribute the companion pamphlet to parents of the children in my class.

[Allison Maddox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the simplicity of this book, and how it’s laid out. It was nice to read points about each age and shorter pieces of information rather than trudging through lengthy chapters. However, some of it is so generalized that it’s not helpful in knowing more about that particular age group.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for school

Easily accessible and organized very nicely. However, it did feel a bit simplistic at times. Supplemental reading and studies are definitely needed but an excellent starting point.

[Carlyn Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

grad school textbook! coolest thing i learned from this was now each year i do the math of what 2 years were covid learning years for my students to see what developmental benchmarks they may have missed out on and plan my year for that!

[Teri Pardue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for parents and educators!

Because it is simple, concise, and encouraging, it’s a great book to recommend to parents.
However, it is also well-researched and practical. It can serve as an excellent book for new (or experienced!) teachers to have on-hand!

[Holly Esterline · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick, easy read full of accurate, useful information

[Mandi Mclarney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is staying on my bookshelf for sure. Easy read and so helpful.

[Tabitha Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great resource to reference throughout the school year.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teachers completing the National Board of Certified Teachers process.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to read overview of child development from age 4 to 14. Parents would benefit from this. As a teacher, I benefitted from this for my National Board components.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for school leaders in all age categories.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

wanted to read this before I started my internship and I'll definitely be going back to refresh all year!

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book required for class is still a book read! Very insightful on child development and applicable to what I see in the classroom.

[Culleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for a book study at the school I work at. Very informative and found a lot of good things to use in my library.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful and accessible breakdown of the ages. Appreciated the positive framing of each age. Would’ve like to have more of a cultural element.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this aloud to a student who is taking a class to get a certificate to become a para-educator, to be in the classroom to help the teacher who has some students who would benefit from some additional hands on deck.
This is not aimed at that at all--it is about teaching, and what the priorities are, how to assess the developmental level of students at different ages, and to see what to expect from them from ages 1-14. The writing is clear and straightforward, it encourages people who are in the classroom to connect with their students and to help them learn, to meet them where they are and to be a positive influence.
The book is concise and can be read in an afternoon if you put your mind to it.

[Janessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good child development book both for educators and parents. I love how it breaks down developmental characteristics by different contexts. I use this book often for my work as a curriculum writer and developer.

[Erin Redor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super easy read and I would definitely recommend to anyone that works with children