Middle Childhood (6-8 years of age)

Developmental Milestones

This period of their life brings many changes in a child’s life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily using only their hands, and tie their shoes. Having 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 quickly 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 is some information on how children develop during middle childhood:

Emotional/Social Changes

Children in this age group might:

• Show more independence from parents and family.

• Start to think about the future.

• Understand more about their place in the world.

• Pay more attention to friendships and teamwork.

• Want to be liked and accepted by friends.

Thinking and Learning

Children in this age group might:

• Show rapid development of mental skills.

• Learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.

• Have less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.

Positive Parenting Tips

Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your child during this time:

• Show affection for your child. Recognize their accomplishments.

• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility—ask them to help with household tasks, such as setting the table.

• Talk with your child about school, friends, and things they looks forward to in the future.

• Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage them to help people in need.

• Help your child set their own achievable goals—they’ll learn to take pride in herself and rely less on approval or reward from others.

• Help your child learn patience by letting others go first or by finishing a task before going out to play. Encourage them to think about possible consequences before acting.

• Make clear rules and stick to them, such as how long your child can watch TV or when they have to go to bed. Be clear about what behavior is okay and what is not okay.

• 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 and get to understand their 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 them feel bad about themselves. Follow up any discussion about what not to do with a discussion of what to do instead.

• Praise your child for good behavior. It’s best to focus praise more on what your child does (“you worked hard to figure this out”) than on traits they can’t change (“you are smart”).

• Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage her to solve problems, such as a disagreement with another child, on their own.

• Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as a team sports, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.

Healthy Bodies

• Parents can help make schools healthier. Work with your child’s school to limit access to foods and drinks with added sugar, solid fat, and salt that can be purchased outside the school lunch program.

• Make sure your child has 1 hour or more of physical activity each day.

• Keep television sets out of your child’s bedroom. Set limits for screen time for your child at home, school, or afterschool care and develop a media use plan for your family.

• Practice healthy eating habits and physical activity early. Encourage active play, and be a role model by eating healthy at family mealtimes and having an active lifestyle.

• Make sure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep each night: For school-age children 6-12 years, 9–12 hours per 24 hours (including naps).