Development During Middle Childhood

Middle Childhood Matters Coalition Toronto
22 Sept 201904:49
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video discusses middle childhood, defined as ages 6-12, a critical period of development. It covers cognitive changes like improved thinking, memory and questioning; emotional changes like identity formation and regulation; and social changes in relationships with family, peers and romantic interests. Tips are provided for parents on supporting children in middle childhood, like complimenting good decisions, having open discussions to promote curiosity, creating a safe space for emotions, and welcoming their questions on puberty and sexuality.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Middle childhood refers to ages 6-12, a critical period of development
  • 👥 Children undergo significant cognitive, emotional and social changes
  • 🧠 Cognitive developments include conservation, abstract thinking and perspective taking
  • 😊 Emotional developments include identity formation, self-esteem regulation
  • 👪 Social developments happen in relationships with family, peers and romantic interests
  • 🙏 It's important for parents to support children during this challenging transition
  • 👍 Compliment children's well-thought out decisions
  • 🗣 Foster open discussions to promote thinking and learning
  • 🛡 Create a safe space for children to share emotions
  • ❓ Encourage children to ask questions and share problems
Q & A

  • What are the key areas of development that children go through during middle childhood?

    -During middle childhood, children undergo significant development in three key areas - cognitive, emotional, and social.

  • What does cognitive development in middle childhood involve?

    -Cognitive developments in middle childhood include conservation of thought, abstract thinking, asking more questions about life, having a sense of perspective, and understanding how others perceive them.

  • How does a child's sense of identity develop during middle childhood?

    -A child's sense of identity in middle childhood develops as they explore their talents, goals and life experiences, shaping their sense of self.

  • What changes occur in a child's emotional regulation during middle childhood?

    -In middle childhood, children start recognizing how their thoughts affect their feelings, identify and express emotions better, manage emotions more, and understand that some emotions should not always be externally expressed.

  • What are some key social development changes children undergo with family during middle childhood?

    -Children become more emotionally independent from family while still needing relationships, appreciate more privacy, show interest in same-gender peer groups first, and then opposite-gender peers later on.

  • Why do peer relationships become more important for children in middle childhood?

    -As children grow older in middle childhood, peer relationships become more important as they move towards adolescence and desire more independence from family.

  • When do children start becoming curious about sexuality topics during middle childhood?

    -Questions about sexuality, puberty changes, and what sex is start arising when children reach early adolescence at the end of middle childhood.

  • Why can middle childhood be a challenging period for children?

    -Middle childhood marks a transition between early childhood and adolescence involving major cognitive, emotional, and social development, which can be challenging to navigate.

  • How can parents support their child's emotional development during middle childhood?

    -Parents can create a safe space for children to share emotions, encourage expressing emotions and questions without judgement, and compliment well-thought-out decisions.

  • What are some ways parents can promote their child's cognitive growth in middle childhood?

    -Having discussions about diverse topics and current events encourages thinking, curiosity and perspective-taking. Fostering a desire to learn also facilitates cognitive development.

Outlines
00:00
😀 What is Middle Childhood

This paragraph defines middle childhood as the developmental stage between ages 6-12 years old. It states that children undergo significant cognitive, emotional, and social development during this period. Examples of cognitive developments include conservation, abstract thinking, curiosity, and perspective taking. Emotional developments include identity formation, self-esteem, emotion regulation, and appropriate emotional expression. Social developments occur in relationships with family, peers, and potential romantic interests.

😊 Emotional and Social Development in Middle Childhood

This paragraph further discusses the complex emotional and social development that occurs during middle childhood. Emotional complexity arises through identity formation and self-concept. Socially, while still reliant on parents, children desire more independence and privacy. They deepen same-gender friendships first, then start forming relationships with the opposite sex as puberty approaches. Children begin questioning issues around bodily changes, sexuality, and dating as they transition into adolescence.

🙂 Supporting Your Child Through Middle Childhood

This closing paragraph provides tips for parents on supporting their child through the challenges of middle childhood. It encourages praising good decisions, engaging in thoughtful discussions, nurturing curiosity and learning, providing emotional support, and welcoming questions - no matter how difficult - to create a safe environment for development.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡middle childhood
Middle childhood refers to the developmental stage between early childhood and adolescence, usually defined as ages 6-12 years. In the video, middle childhood is described as a critical period where children undergo significant cognitive, emotional, and social development. Examples from the script show middle childhood marks growth of abstract thinking, identity formation, and changing relationships.
💡cognitive development
Cognitive development refers to the development of mental abilities like thinking, reasoning, memory and decision making. The video states key cognitive developments in middle childhood include conservation of thought, abstract thinking, curiosity and perspective taking. These allow children to understand more complex concepts not directly experienced.
💡identity formation
Identity formation refers to the shaping of one's sense of self and self-concept. The video explains this happens in middle childhood as children explore their talents, goals and life experiences to determine who they are and what gives their life meaning.
💡emotional regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions. In middle childhood, children get better at identifying emotions, realizing thinking affects feelings, expressing some while containing others, and handling emotional responses.
💡social development
Social development refers to one's ability to form interpersonal relationships. The video describes key social changes in middle childhood - more independence from family, prioritizing same-gender peer groups, interest in opposite-gender peers near adolescence.
💡family relationships
Although still reliant on parents, middle childhood sees children desiring more privacy and independence in their family relationships as they enter adolescence while needing support during this transition.
💡peer relationships
Peer relationships become very important in middle childhood. The video explains children at this age prioritize same-gender friend groups and by early adolescence take interest in opposite-gender peers, owing to the growing importance of peers.
💡questions about sex
With puberty onset, children reach adolescence with sexual questions about bodily changes and reproduction. The video notes middle childhood as the time when such questions and interest in dating/relationships emerges.
💡compliment decisions
The video advises parents to compliment children's well-thought out choices. This positive reinforcement builds their confidence and decision-making skills during middle childhood's cognitive growth.
💡encourage questions
It suggests parents encourage children to ask questions openly without judgement. This creates a safe space for their curiosity and understanding of complex topics like puberty and sex.
Highlights

Middle childhood refers to ages 6-12, a critical period of cognitive, emotional and social development.

Cognitive developments include conservation of thought, abstract thinking, curiosity and perspective taking.

Emotional development involves identity formation, self-esteem, emotional regulation and understanding emotion expression.

Social development relates to family, peer and romantic relationships.

Children become more independent but still need family support during this transition.

Peer relationships grow in importance and interactions with the opposite sex emerge.

Sexual development begins as children become interested in bodily changes from puberty.

Middle childhood can be challenging, and children need parental support.

Compliment children's well-thought-out decisions to encourage good judgment.

Discuss current events to promote critical thinking and curiosity.

Create a safe space for children to share emotions and seek help.

Encourage children to come to you with questions or problems no matter what.

Cognitive development refers to thinking, memory and decision making.

Identity formation shapes children's developing sense of self.

Children can better identify, express and manage emotions.

Transcripts

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