Middle childhood (ages 6-8)
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| parenting tips |
Millstones of development
Middle childhood brings a lot of changes in a child’s life. By this time, children can prepare themselves, easily catch the ball using only their hands and tie their shoes. Gaining independence from family is very important now. Events like school opening regularly introduce children of this age to the big world. Friendship is even more important. During this time physical, social and mental skills develop rapidly. It is an important time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life through friends, school tasks, and sports.
Here is some information on how children develop in middle childhood:
Emotional/social change
Children of this age may be:
- Show more independence from parents and family.
- Start thinking about the future.
- Learn more about his place in the world.
- Focus more on friendship and teamwork.
- Friends like and accept.
Thinking and learning
Children of this age may be:
Show rapid development of mental skills.
Learn good ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
One has less attention to oneself, more attention to others.
Positive parenting tips
Here are some things to look for when selecting yours:
- Show affection for your children. Recognize his accomplishments.
- Help your child develop a sense of responsibility - ask him to help with household chores such as setting the table.
- Talk to your children about school, friends, and things to come in the future.
- Talk to your children about respecting others. Encourage him to help those in need.
- Help your child set achievable goals - he or she will learn to be proud of himself or less dependent on the approval or gift of others.
- Help your child to be patient by letting others go first or by completing a task before leaving to play. Encourage her to think about the consequences before acting.
- Make clear rules about how long your child can watch TV or when to lie down and stick to them. Be clear on what is good and what is not.
- Have fun together as a family, playing sports, reading, and going to events in your community.
- Get involved with your child’s school. Meet teachers and staff and understand their learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child better.
- Keep reading to your children. Start reading to each other as your child learns to read.
- Use discipline to guide and protect your child rather than punish him so that your child will feel bad about himself. Follow any discussion about what not to do with the discussion of what to do instead.
- Praise your child for good behavior. It is better to focus more on the compliments your child has made ("you worked so hard to recognize this") than on the traits you have (she's brilliant).
- Support your children in facing new challenges. Encourage her to resolve issues such as conflicts with another child on her own.
- Encourage your children to join school and community groups such as team sports or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
Child safety first
More physical fitness and greater independence increase the risk of injury from falls and other hazards. Motor vehicle accidents are a very common cause of death due to accidental injury in children of this age.
- Keep your child safe in the car. For detailed information, see the American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seats
- Watching your child for traffic and going to school, riding a bike, and being safe while playing outside.
- Make sure your child understands water safety and always take care of him when he is swimming or playing near the water.
- Supervise your child when he or she engages in dangerous activities such as climbing.
- Talk about how your child should ask for help when needed.
- Keep harmful household products, tools, equipment, and guns away from your children.
Healthy body
- Schools can help parents stay healthy. Work with your child's school to limit access to food and beverages with sugar, solid fat, and salt that can be purchased outside the school meal schedule.
- Make sure your child has 1 hour or more of physical activity each day.
- Place a television set outside your child's bedroom. Set screen time limits for your child at home, school, or after-school care.
- Eat healthy eating habits and physical activity in advance. Encourage active sports and be a role model by eating healthy at family meals and having an active lifestyle.
- Make sure your child is getting the recommended sleep each night: 6–12 years for school-age children, 9–12 hours for 24 hours (including naps)
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