7 Years

Discover tips, tools, and support for this age

Around seven years old, your child is starting to understand the viewpoints of others! They may also play board games, run up and down stairs, and read on their own. Getting out your books will help your child practice their reading skills at home. Scroll down to learn more about your child’s development, explore resources available during and after school, and find free events across NYC.

Milestones

Skills children develop as they play, learn, speak, act, and move are called milestones. Learn about milestones to help you understand your child's development and act early if you have concerns.

Around 7 years old, many children:

  • Social

    • Want to be liked and accepted by friends
    • Are able to take turns and play well with others
    • Show an awareness of the points of views of others
  • Communication

    • Master most speech sounds and talk fluently
    • Describe common objects and what they're used for
    • Hold long conversations and tell jokes
    • Understand and follow routines on a daily basis
    • Use the phone
    • Read out loud
  • Learning

    • Understand the idea of similar and opposite
    • Start to read by themselves and like age-appropriate books
    • Copy more complex shapes, such as a diamond
    • Tie shoelaces on their own
    • Play board games and understand the rules
  • Physical Development

    • Throw, catch, and kick a ball
    • Start to lose baby teeth
    • Run up and down stairs
    • Balance on one foot without looking
    • Dress themself
    • Ride a 2-wheeled bike (if taught)
  • Health

    • Have 5 ounces of grains daily (such as 1 cup of breakfast cereal plus 1 large tortilla)
    • Have 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily (such as 3 medium carrots)
    • Have 1 to 1 ½ cups of fruits daily (such as 1 medium or large apple OR 1 to 1 ½ cups 100% fruit juice)
    • Have 4 ounces of meat and beans daily (such as 1 small chicken breast plus 1 egg)
    • Have 2 ½ cups milk daily
    • Do 1 hour of medium- and high-intensity physical activity each day, including many 15-minute periods of activity
    • Are not inactive for 2 hours or more, unless sleeping
    • Sleep about 9–11 hours per day
    • Stay on schedule with immunizations

Act early by talking to a doctor, teacher, or social worker if your child:

  • Act Early

    • Has trouble following instructions
    • Often reverses letters often when writing
    • Has trouble using scissors
    • Seems to be afraid to go to school
    • Wets their pants during the day
    • Is often confused when talking with friends or in the classroom
    • Can't do simple tasks, even with the help of an adult
    • Won't compromise or be flexible
    • Stumbles or falls often when feet leave the ground

Programs

Find the support your family needs to thrive

Comprehensive After School System of NYC (COMPASS NYC)

NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD)

Afterschool programs for students

COMPASS NYC has hundreds of programs for young people in kindergarten through 12th grade.

School Food

NYC Department of Education (DOE)

Free school breakfast and lunch

NYC students can enjoy free breakfast and lunch every school day.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC)

NYC Department of Education (DOE); NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Free health care in schools

Students can get free health care in their school.