Child Development and Positive Parenting : Middle Childhood

by CDC

(Page 3 of 4)

Middle Childhood (6-8 years old)

Developmental Milestones

Middle childhood brings many changes to a child's life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily with only their hands, and tie their shoes. Developing independence from family becomes more important now. Events such as starting school bring children this age into regular contact with the larger world. Friendships become more and more important. Physical, social, and mental skills develop rapidly at this time. This is a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as through friends, schoolwork, and sports.

Here are some changes your child may go through during middle childhood:

Emotional/Social Changes

• More independence from parents and family.
• Stronger sense of right and wrong.
• Beginning awareness of the future.
• Growing understanding about one's place in the world.
• More attention to friendships and teamwork.
• Growing desire to be liked and accepted by friends.

Mental/Cognitive Changes

• Rapid development of mental skills.
• Greater ability to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
• Less focus on one's self and more concern for others.

Positive Parenting

• Show affection for your child. Recognize her accomplishments.
• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility - ask him to help with household tasks, such as setting the table.
• Talk with your child about school, friends, and things she looks forward to in the future.
• Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage him to help people in need.
• Help your child set her own achievable goals - she'll learn to take pride in herself and rely less on approval or reward from others.
• Make clear rules and stick to them, such as how long your child can watch TV or when he has to go to bed. Be clear about what behavior is okay and what is not okay.
• Help your child learn patience by letting others go first or by finishing a task before going out to play. Encourage him to think about possible consequences before acting.
• Do fun things together as a family, such as playing games, reading, and going to events in your community.
• Get involved with your child's school. Meet the teachers and staff to understand the learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child do well.
• Continue reading to your child. As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other.
• Use discipline to guide and protect your child, rather than punishment to make her feel badly about herself.
• Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage him to solve problems, such as a disagreement with another child, on his own.

Child Safety First

More physical ability and more independence can put children at risk for injuries from falls and other accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of death from unintentional injury among children this age.

• Protect your child properly in the car. For detailed information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics' Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families.
• Teach your child to watch traffic and how to be safe when walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.
• Make sure your child understands water safety, and always supervise her when she's swimming or playing near water.
• Supervise your child when he's engaged in risky activities, such as climbing.
• Talk with your child about how to ask for help when she needs it.
• Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and firearms out of your child's reach.

Middle Childhood (9-11 years old)

Developmental Milestones

Your child's growing independence from the family and interest in friends might be obvious by now. Healthy friendships are very important to your child's development, but peer pressure can become strong during this time. Children who feel good about themselves are more able to resist negative peer pressure and make better choices for themselves. This is an important time for children to gain a sense of responsibility along with their growing independence. Also, physical changes of puberty might be showing by now, especially for girls. Another big change children need to prepare for during this time is starting middle or junior high school.

During this time, your child might:

• Form stronger, more complex friendships and peer relationships. It becomes more emotionally important to have friends, especially of the same sex.
• Experience more peer pressure.
• Become more independent from the family.
• Become more aware of his or her body as puberty approaches. Body image and eating problems sometimes start around this age. For information on healthy eating and exercise for children and teenagers,
• Face more academic challenges at school.

Positive Parenting

You can help your child become independent, while building his or her sense of responsibility and self-confidence at the same time. Here are some suggestions:

• Spend time with your child. Talk with her about her friends, her accomplishments, and what challenges she will face.
• Be involved with your child's school. Go to school events; meet your child's teachers.
• Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as a team sport, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
• Help your child develop his own sense of right and wrong. Talk with him about risky things friends may pressure him to do, like smoking or dangerous physical dares.
• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility - involve your child in household tasks. Talk to your child about saving and spending money wisely.
• Meet the families of your child's friends.
• Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage your child to help people in need. Talk with him or her about what to do when others are not kind or are disrespectful.
• Help your child set his own goals. Encourage him to think about skills and abilities he would like to have and about how to develop them.
• Make clear rules and stick to them. Talk to your child about what you expect from her when no adults are supervising. If you provide reasons for rules, it will help your child to know what to do in those situations.
• Use discipline to guide and protect your child, instead of punishment to make him feel badly about himself.
• Talk with your child about the normal physical and emotional changes of puberty.
• Encourage your child to read every day. Talk with her about her homework.
• Be affectionate and honest with your child, and do things together as a family.

Child Safety First

More independence and less adult supervision can put children at risk for injuries from falls and other accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of death from unintentional injury among children of this age.

Protect your child in the car. All children younger than 12 years of age should ride in the back seat with a seat belt properly fastened. Children should ride in a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall (because adult seat belts do not fit people under this height). Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more information.

Know where your child is and whether an adult is present. Make plans with your child for when he will call you, where you can find him, and what time you expect him home.

Many children get home from school before their parents get home from work. It is important to have clear rules and plans for your child when she is home alone.

About the Author

www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.