The K-12 Universe

Though a child’s most important physical and psychological developmental years are early infancy/early childhood (about the first six years of life), the optimal range for academic development and coaching starts around 4th grade, peaking between 7th-9th grade.

In this range, students are old enough to have an established perspective- of themselves and their world- but young enough to not yet be dealing with the academic and social pressures of high school. Their intelligence is established but their brain is still elastic, easily accepting complex ideas, new languages, and abstract thought. Therefore, they learn with ease and are intellectually impressionable. They still carry a sense of wonderment and curiosity about the world albeit often with a tinge of skepticism and sarcasm. However, that wonderment and curiosity starts to fade at this age, and recently, it is fading more rapidly. Though they will challenge you, they will humor and entertain you along the way.

Each year does the influence and ability to shape and mold students decrease. High school upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) are the senior citizens of the K-12 universe. Seen from a developmental perspective, they are well-established— neurologically and psychologically speaking. They have a well-defined image of who they are (regardless of how inaccurate it may be), and therefore, like adults, changing their perspective is usually far more challenging. Yet, it is often the time many families start to focus on their child’s academic abilities and personal skill (most likely as it is the time they have to start thinking about college). And though one can make great strides with older adolescents, it becomes all the more difficult to make substantial progress.

Coaching can apply to students of any age and station, but when it comes to academic development and long-term success, connecting with students during the optimal age can make all the difference.