Six is an important year for girls. First grade and the 'big kid' school is coming, and that's just the start of what they'll learn this year!
Most six year olds still have intense attachment to their parents. However, this is the age when girls begin gravitating more towards friends and looking for affirmation from teachers. Play dates and birthday parties will help develop her growing sense of social independence. Sorry mom and dad, you're just not cool anymore! (Think of it as practice for when she's a teenager.)
Younger kids aren't always generous or empathetic - it's just how their brains work. But six is when this starts to change. With the encouragement of parents and teachers, six year old girls can begin understanding the thoughts and feelings of others. Asking her questions such as ""How do you think your friend felt when you said she couldn't play with you?"" will help kickstart her consideration of other people - and probably salvage a few of her friendships!
Friendships and teamwork become increasingly important at six. If she's into competitive sports, her teammates will take on greater significance. Six year olds want to be liked by their peers, and they increasingly enjoy sharing snacks, toys, and other things with friends. Conflicts can still occur, but each one is a new opportunity to learn social skills and how to get along without adult intervention.
And good news for adults who banked on being the Funny Uncle or Aunt in her life - six is when kids start developing their own sense of humor! She'll enjoy simple jokes and funny books and rhymes. And you'll definitely make her laugh so hard that milk comes out her nose at least once!
