Typical Development During
Middle Childhood
Middle childhood is defined
as the period between 6-11 years old. During this period, children are going through crucial changes and developments, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically at this stage of childhood, children may begin to gradually change. Muscle mass gradually increases, and what is commonly known as "baby fat" is decreasing. Although baby fat decreases, children commonly gain about 5-7 pounds each year during this stage of life. Children's motor skills are becoming much more developed during middle childhood. Many children are developing gross motor skills such as swimming and riding a bicycle. Fine motor tasks are also becoming greater, and children's handwriting is improving. (Santrock, 2008). While attending school, children are developing many skills. By meeting other children, they will begin to recognize characteristics and behaviors in others that may be different than their own. During these years children are learning not only social skills but, personal care, motor, speech, reading, writing, math, memory, behavior, and learning skills. By age 5-6 children are beginning to work on developing friendships, playing with others, talking in sentences, basic reading and writing, learning to count. Around age 7-8, they will begin to progress to playing games with rules, increasing their independence with self-care, increasing their vocabulary, being able to access information in books and online, and increasing their skills in counting and calculating.
By age 9, children are typically developing spelling skills and learning
about money. By age 10-11 children have typically developed teamwork skills, increased rate of speech, and recognition of events among other skills (Chapman, Robin & Hesketh, Linda). Speech, reading, and writing skills are primarily important in middle childhood in order for children to succeed in school. While the rate at which children learn may vary slightly, it is important for children to develop these skills in order to understand and follow directions which in turn, will lead the way for their academic success. Below is a chart from downsyndrome.org offering more detail into crucial skills throughout middle childhood.
as the period between 6-11 years old. During this period, children are going through crucial changes and developments, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically at this stage of childhood, children may begin to gradually change. Muscle mass gradually increases, and what is commonly known as "baby fat" is decreasing. Although baby fat decreases, children commonly gain about 5-7 pounds each year during this stage of life. Children's motor skills are becoming much more developed during middle childhood. Many children are developing gross motor skills such as swimming and riding a bicycle. Fine motor tasks are also becoming greater, and children's handwriting is improving. (Santrock, 2008). While attending school, children are developing many skills. By meeting other children, they will begin to recognize characteristics and behaviors in others that may be different than their own. During these years children are learning not only social skills but, personal care, motor, speech, reading, writing, math, memory, behavior, and learning skills. By age 5-6 children are beginning to work on developing friendships, playing with others, talking in sentences, basic reading and writing, learning to count. Around age 7-8, they will begin to progress to playing games with rules, increasing their independence with self-care, increasing their vocabulary, being able to access information in books and online, and increasing their skills in counting and calculating.
By age 9, children are typically developing spelling skills and learning
about money. By age 10-11 children have typically developed teamwork skills, increased rate of speech, and recognition of events among other skills (Chapman, Robin & Hesketh, Linda). Speech, reading, and writing skills are primarily important in middle childhood in order for children to succeed in school. While the rate at which children learn may vary slightly, it is important for children to develop these skills in order to understand and follow directions which in turn, will lead the way for their academic success. Below is a chart from downsyndrome.org offering more detail into crucial skills throughout middle childhood.
Academic skills are not the only skills developing throughout
middle childhood. During this time, children may be discovering extra circular
activities they enjoy. Sports, dance, gymnastics, or music may be interests
that
are beginning to develop. Children at this age may try activities based on what
their friends participate in, and later determine whether it is something they
want to continue. Children at this age are also expected to start becoming
independent at home. Bathing, brushing their teeth, and cleaning
their room are all age appropriate activities children should start becoming
independent in. (Chapman, Robin & Hesketh, Linda)
In Down syndrome children, progression is typically slower than for a child without a disability. Cognitive function is impaired, requiring more patience, and more practice for the child and for the care-giver. Physical factors can also be limiting for children with Down syndrome, in terms of their hypo-tonic muscle tone. For children with Down syndrome, their development cannot be limited to biological factors only. With physical, occupational, and speech therapy, development can be maximized a great deal.
In Down syndrome children, progression is typically slower than for a child without a disability. Cognitive function is impaired, requiring more patience, and more practice for the child and for the care-giver. Physical factors can also be limiting for children with Down syndrome, in terms of their hypo-tonic muscle tone. For children with Down syndrome, their development cannot be limited to biological factors only. With physical, occupational, and speech therapy, development can be maximized a great deal.