How to Successfully Survive the 7-Year-old Crisis

The 7-year-old crisis is nothing more than a stage to overcome before adolescence. During this time, children start to reaffirm their personalities. At the same time, they experience major changes in the way they perceive the world around them.
How to Successfully Survive the 7-Year-old Crisis

Last update: 20 December, 2019

During the 7-year-old crisis, it’s very common for children to rebel against all authority. At the same time, their mood changes abruptly and they like saying no to everything.

If your child is in the middle of this phase, stay calm… You can learn to control the situation. In this article, you’ll learn about the most frequent attitudes at this age as well as how to overcome this crisis.

 

What is the 7-year-old crisis in children?

This period of change is a normal part of the formation of children’s personalities… A stage where children try to strengthen their personalities. Without a doubt, you’re worried about the attitude your child has developed. Just the same, it’s nothing serious. It’s just a part of growing up.

During this stimulating period involving a number of behavior changes, children experience physical, mental, and social changes. For that reason, this stage is also known as the adolescence of early childhood.

Typical attitudes of the 7-year-old crisis

According to experts, at the age of 7 years, children’s brains start to experience big changes. When they observe the behaviors of adults, they think they have the same capacity, but quickly feel overwhelmed. This is because their mental and concentration abilities aren’t yet fully developed. That being said, they can carry out some physical tasks.

In the same way, during the 7-year-old crisis, kids express what they want, think, and feel with more clarity. What’s more, they feel sure of themselves because they master and have advanced their speaking skills.

They already know how to address different people and are aware of their feelings. They recognize that others, like themselves, have desires, thoughts, and feelings. What’s more, they are able to differentiate between reality and imagination.

How to Successfully Survive the 7-year-old Crisis

Seven-year-old children possess a more solid sense of time. Therefore, they already understand what hours, minutes, and days of the week are. This evolution of reasoning allows them to have their own style of learning and solving simple mathematical problems.

7 characteristics present in the 7-year-old crisis

During the process of the 7-year-old crisis, children are prone to the following behaviors:

  1. Wanting to impose their own will.
  2. Refusing all authority.
  3. Their response to whatever you suggest will be “no.”
  4. If they don’t get what they want, they rebel.
  5. A capricious, restless, hyperactive and driven attitude.
  6. Going from being happy and laughing one instant, to sadness the next.
  7. Challenging limits.

Tips for surviving the situation

Some recommendations that you can follow during the seven-year-old crisis in children are:

  • Assign tasks that children can perform to increase their sense of responsibility. This will allow them to develop routines, like tidying their room every day or setting the table.
  • Allow children to burn energy and tension appropriately by practicing a sport they enjoy. You can also enjoy outdoor activities like going to the park or just for a walk together.
  • Constantly complement their efforts and good behavior. This can be with glances, gestures, and words. This positive reinforcement will help feel safe and loved.
  • Instill patience in children. Patience will help them finish their homework before they play, wait their turn, etc.
  • Provide explanations about what they can and cannot do, as well as why certain tasks aren’t safe. Also, set clear rules, such as bedtime, and how much time they can spend watching TV and surfing the internet.

How to Successfully Survive the 7-year-old Crisis

  • Remember that their analysis and organization skills are still developing. So, it’s important you help them with their personal hygiene.
  • Don’t cover up their mistakes, but allow them to learn from their experiences. Also, explain that their actions have consequences.
  • Spend time together as a family doing activities that are fun and encourage participation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, don’t allow the 7-year-old crisis in children to cause you despair. Their behavior has to do with development and the evolution of their brains. Give them time to mature and to be able to control their impulses so they can focus on their tasks.

Also, as their nervous system develops, they’ll understand the world around them in a healthy way. So, help children feel good about themselves so they can gradually live out their childhood successfully .


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • American Academy of Pediatrics website. Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Updated October 2015.
  • Gesell, Arnold. (1992). El niño de 7 y 8 años.
  • Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM. (2015). Normal development. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap 7.
  • Baeza E., Tomás J., Molina M., Raheb C., Vila A. (s.f.). Fases del desarrollo. Barcelona: Centre Londres 94. http://repositorio.uigv.edu.pe/bitstream/handle/20.500.11818/4163/TRABSUFICIENCIA_BARRAGAN_LESLY.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • Bergeron, M. y Mainar, G. G. (1974). El desarrollo psicológico del niño:(desde la primera edad hasta la adolescencia). Morata.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.