Development During Middle Childhood

Summary

This session by the Middle Childhood Matters Coalition, Toronto, delves into the pivotal phase of middle childhood, ages 6-12. It highlights the significant cognitive, emotional, and social developments children undergo, such as abstract thinking, identity formation, and emotional regulation. The session advises parents on supporting their children through this transition, emphasizing the importance of complimenting decisions, engaging in discussions, and creating a safe space for emotional expression and learning.

Takeaways

• 📚 Middle childhood is a critical developmental stage, typically defined as ages 6 through 12, encompassing significant cognitive, emotional, and social changes.
• 🧠 Cognitive development in middle childhood includes the ability to think abstractly, conservation of thought, and increased questioning about life and the environment.
• 💡 Emotional development is characterized by identity formation, self-esteem development, and the beginning of emotional regulation, including understanding the impact of thoughts on feelings.
• 🤝 Social development involves forming positive relationships, with changes in family dynamics, increased peer group interest, and the emergence of sexual questions related to puberty.
• 🏠 Family relationships remain important during middle childhood, but children also seek more privacy and independence as they approach adolescence.
• 👫 Peer relationships become more significant, with children showing interest in same-sex groups around ages 10 to 13 and beginning to befriend opposite-sex peers.
• 💌 Emotional regulation involves children recognizing that their thoughts can affect their feelings and learning to manage and express their emotions more effectively.
• 🤔 Middle childhood is a time of increased curiosity, with children asking more questions about life and their surroundings, indicating a growing sense of perspective.
• 🌟 Supporting children during middle childhood involves complimenting them for well-thought-out decisions and engaging in discussions to promote critical thinking and learning.
• 🏡 Creating a safe space for children to share their emotions and encouraging open communication about their questions or problems is essential for their emotional well-being.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child through the challenges of middle childhood, providing guidance and understanding as they navigate this transitional period.

Q & A

What is the age range for middle childhood according to the session?

Middle childhood is defined as the stage between early childhood and adolescence, usually covering ages 6 through 12.

What are the key cognitive developments during middle childhood?

Key cognitive developments include conservation of thought, abstract thinking, asking more questions about life, and developing a sense of perspective.

How does emotional development manifest in middle childhood?

Emotional development in middle childhood is characterized by identity formation, self-esteem, and the beginning of emotional regulation, including recognizing how thoughts affect feelings and managing emotions.

What is the significance of social development in middle childhood?

Social development in middle childhood involves forming positive relationships, changes in family relationships, and an increasing importance of peer relationships, including same-sex and opposite-sex friendships.

How do children's relationships with their family change during middle childhood?

During middle childhood, children become more emotionally independent from their family, appreciating the need for privacy and independence as they approach early adolescence.

What are some of the social changes children experience with their peers in middle childhood?

Children's social changes with peers include an initial interest in same-sex peer groups around ages 10 to 13, followed by an interest in befriending opposite-sex peers and placing greater importance on peer relationships as they age.

What types of questions might children start asking during middle childhood?

Children may start asking sexual questions, inquiring about changes in the body related to puberty, and understanding what sex is.

Why is it important for parents to support their children during middle childhood?

Middle childhood can be a challenging period, and children need parental support to navigate through significant cognitive, emotional, and social developments.

What are some tips parents can follow to support their children during middle childhood?

Parents can compliment their children for well-thought-out decisions, engage in discussions on various topics and current events, and create a safe space for children to share emotions and ask questions.

How can parents promote thinking and a desire to learn in their children during middle childhood?

Parents can foster a desire to learn by engaging in discussions on a variety of topics and current events, which encourages children to think and explore new ideas.

What role does emotional regulation play in a child's development during middle childhood?

Emotional regulation is crucial as it helps children recognize the impact of their thoughts on feelings, and develop the ability to identify, express, and manage their emotions effectively.