This publication will help parents and other adults look at the general characteristics of children ages 6-12, consider special concerns of parents and caregivers, and give practical tips. Overview Between the ages of 6 and 12, the child's world expands outward from the family as relationships are formed with friends, teachers, coaches, caregivers, and others. Because their experiences are expanding, many factors can alter children's actions and impact how they learn to get along. Some situations can create stress and affect self-esteem. The middle childhood period is a time to prepare for adolescence.
Children develop at various rates.
Some children in middle childhood seem very mature while others seem very immature. During this stage, behavior may depend on the child's mood, his or her experience with various types of people, or even what happened that day. Parental concerns Parents with children in middle childhood may begin to re-evaluate what kind of parent they have been up to this point. Up to this point, children have always looked up to parents as the source of information, but now children judge parents more and label their actions differently. With children's natural curiosity and expanding knowledge, parents often find children question them more, and they are asked to respond in greater detail to larger issues, such as why they must work overtime, why some people act unfairly, or even why there is war.