The chart below lists some suggested qualities or activities which could be focal points for training a child at various ages. The list is not comprehensive, but can stimulate your thinking about how to plan for your children's growth.
Notice that for each broad age range, the topics are divided into four categories: mental, physical, spiritual, and social.
BIRTH TO AGE 6
MENTAL:
Honesty
Speech and other self-expression
Basic reading skills
AGES 6-12
MENTAL:
Determination
Alertness
Appreciation for reading
Good study habits
AGES 12-20
MENTAL:
Wisdom and discernment
Financial understanding-budgeting, saving
Creativity
Initiative
Decisiveness
Faithfulness in responsibilities
PHYSICAL:
Coordination (as demonstrated by learning to swim, riding a bike, catching a ball, etc.)
Enjoying children's games
Cleanliness and neatness
PHYSICAL:
Development in hobbies and sports
Good eating habits
Learning to work
Cleanliness and neatness
PHYSICAL:
Endurance
Good habits in physical training
Confidence in driving a car
Proper knowledge of sex
SPIRITUAL:
Reverence
Obedience and honor to parents
Discipline
Forgiveness
Faith
Truth
SPIRITUAL:
Self-control
Joyfulness
Honesty
Understanding the Gospel
Appreciation for devotional time
SPIRITUAL:
Diligence
Faith
Confidence in God
Understanding biblical doctrine
Overcoming temptation
Moral purity
Giving
SOCIAL:
Enjoying play with others
Fairness
Attentiveness
Contentment
Gratefulness
Security
Meekness
SOCIAL:
Patience
Dependability
Punctuality
Loyalty
Compassion
Thoughtfulness
Responsibility
Accountability
SOCIAL:
Sincerity
Generosity
Humility
Relating properly to the opposite sex
Courtesy
Appearance
Serving others
Recommended Resources Step-Parenting
I'm Not Your Kid, by Kay Adkins
You're a Stepparent, Now What, by Joseph Cerquone
The Smart Step-family, by Ron Deal
Between Two Worlds, The Inner Conflict of Children of Divorce, by Elizabeth Marquardt
Designing Dynamic Christian Stepfamilies, by Gordon & Carri Taylor
Love in The Blended Family, by Angela Clubb
Successful Step-Parenting, by David & Bonnie Juroe
Parenting
Parents: Everyone is Not Doing It, by Mike Long
Dare to Discipline, by James Dobson
Child Training Tips, by Reb Bradley
Boundaries With Kids, by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Boundaries With Teens, by John Townsend
Seven Secrets of Effective Fathering, by Ken R. Canfield
