Middle ChildhoodKym Simons and Emily Butler

What is Middle Childhood?

Middle Childhood encompasses the ages of 6 – 12.

Known as “the age of reason”

Characterized by rules, reciprocity and fairness.

In this stage children begin to understand their identity.

Begin to understand the emotions of themselves and others.

Ages and Stages of Middle Childhoodhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtpiBtL_7zc

Biological Slow but consistent growth pattern. (between two rapid growth stages: Early Childhood and Adolescence)

Fat tissue develops at a more rapid pace than muscle tissue.

Males are generally taller than Females at age 6 but by age 10 Females can be slightly taller than Males.

Motor skills, agility and dexterity continue to develop. As a result sports become more enjoyable.

Biological Continued

Bone growth and muscular growth are far from complete.

Optic nerve is not yet fully developed, the child are unable to see as well as an adult.

From the ages of 10 –12 puberty begins for some children.

Lung capacity increases and gives greater endurance.

Sigmund Freud

Latency Period

Typically begins when the child enters school and may last until puberty.

A child starts to identify with the parent of the same sex.

Libido is transferred from parents to same sex friends and or hero’s or role models.

Erik Erickson

Industry vs. inferiority

Praise and recognition are imperative in this stage or children may develop feelings of inferiority which may persist into adulthood.

May try to test limits both at home and in school.

Begin to recognize their own unique talents and interests and may choose to peruse activities based on that knowledge (take an art class.)

Jean Piaget

Concrete Operational

Start solving problems in a more logical process.

Have a firm grasp of inductive reasoning (making inferences) but may still struggle with deductive reasoning (predicting outcomes.)

Children in this phase are said to be egocentric and self focused.

Psychological

Crucial time for developing self esteem.

Begin to develop more self control of emotions, impulses and desires.

Short term memory improves significantly.

Understand how their behavior affects others.

Social

Are able to function as part of a team.

Egocentric thoughts are minimalized as they realize the world is not about them.

Peer groups and school take on a more important roll than they previously had.

Become more sensitive and begin to understand cultural differences.

Challenges of Middle Childhood

ADD and ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed at this age.

When they enter puberty, hormonal imbalances can cause emotional distress and or feelings of shame.

Disadvantaged children can have restricted a vocabulary.

Bullying tends to be a bigger issue at this age than at others.

Citation

“Middle Childhood (Age 6-12).” Healthy Child Mantoba. N.p., n.d.Web. 06 Oct. 2016.