NEEDS OF CHILDREN

Abstract

This article is about only those basic and general needs of a six-year old, occurring most often with children of this or similar age. A need for closeness with parents decreases with age, while, for example, a need to prove oneself, a need for exploring and to be curios - that is, a need for learning - increases as children grow older. These needs as well as needs for play, respect, releasing energy through physical activity, love, kindness and talking are characteristics of even much older children and stay with a child, varying in intensity, throughout child’s elementary and secondary education. In time, these needs crystallize into certain specific needs, like the need for artistic expression, creativity, originality, the need for self actualization, etc. Ability to satisfy needs of children depends on a social context they live in, primarily on the family, and then on the school, as a primary “authority” in the educational process.