Vital Parenting Skills For A Healthy Middle Childhood
For many children, middle childhood, spanning the ages of six to 12, can be a crucial time in a person's life. The skills children learn during this time often inform their adolescence and can carry over into adulthood.
Children might learn more about relationships, roles and responsibilities, conflict resolution, emotional control, and their bodies during middle childhood.
This article explores parenting skills to help support early childhood growth and development. These tips for parents may ensure their children experience a healthy middle childhood by offering consistency and discipline, being supportive, encouraging an interest in learning, and modeling healthy relationships.
What is middle childhood?
Middle childhood is the period of life between six and 12 years of age. During this point in their child development, young children learn skills that will help them develop friendships and other relationships throughout their lives. Children between six and 12 may also learn about different roles and responsibilities, like completing chores and respecting others. They may also begin exploring their independence, where a child’s bedroom can become their personal safe space instead of staying by your side at all times. As a result, these years can be vital, and a child at this age may benefit from trying different pathways and hobbies to get to know themselves and their place in the world.
The importance of a healthy lifestyle for middle childhood
In early childhood, a child learns emotional control and attachments, cognitive skills, language skills, and motor skills. They often develop these skills and abilities further as they age and work through middle childhood. If they don't learn these skills during their early childhood, it can lead to deficiencies in their later life and may cause them to experience challenges as they enter middle childhood. They may also have difficulty in their adulthood due to this delay.
Younger children who experience environmental stress or inadequate care and attention from a caregiver may have delayed milestones. These delays might damage brain development, potentially leading to issues with social development. Though developmental delays can be assisted in later life, parents and caregivers can prevent some challenges by being present in a child's life.
Setting up children for physical and mental health
Because your child may be constantly learning during their early years, the skills they gain can set them up for success into adulthood. For example, they may learn to strive for success in school and start caring for physical and mental health. They might also learn self-discipline and the ability to make positive decisions.
Healthy relationships and social skills
Children may start forming healthy relationships and resolving conflicts. Each of these areas can be crucial to their success in later life, and a deficiency in any could result in mental health challenges, like chronic stress or anxiety.
Children are often at risk during middle childhood for developmental and behavioral disorders, asthma, and other chronic conditions. It can benefit them to have healthy relationships and caregiver encouragement. If you notice your child struggling with mental or physical health, ensuring professional support can be vital, as it may prepare them to cope with similar challenges in the future.
Healthy eating and physical activities
Many children begin learning about healthy food choices during middle childhood. While children consume what they’re fed for family meals and in school, they may begin seeking their own snacks, meals, and drinks.
Speak with your child’s physician to understand their physical fitness needs, a healthy range for their weight, and what foods will help them avoid health problems. Your child’s doctor may also examine your child’s body fat percentage and risk for any health issues.
Here’s a short list with examples of potentially unhealthy foods that parents may want to educate school-aged children about:
Sugary and salty snacks
Foods high in saturated fat
Fast foods
Sugary drinks
Here’s a short list of nutritious foods that parents may want to teach their children about:
Low-fat dairy products
Low-fat, high-protein foods like tofu, fish, and chicken breast
High-fiber foods like whole grains
Fresh fruits and vegetables
One way to teach your children about these foods is to discuss them while you eat meals that exemplify the foods you’re suggesting and minimize less healthy foods.
Similarly, if you’re suggesting that your child stay physically active, consider doing so while you’re being active alongside them. For example, while going for a walk or exploring a hiking trail. Physical activity can be beneficial for children and adolescents as it improves children's physical health and mental well-being. and academic performance by improving cardiovascular fitness, boosting mood and self-esteem, and increasing concentration and cognitive function.
Consistency and support from parents as children develop
The necessity of consistency and support from parents
It can be helpful for parents to remain encouraging and supportive of their children during middle childhood. While consequences for maladaptive patterns may help children recognize misbehavior, remain consistent and ensure your child understands why the consequences have occurred and how to take different actions next time.
During middle childhood, children can benefit from consistency in parenting. As they learn more about themselves and understand relationships, fairness and consistency can help them develop a healthy understanding of relationships, including boundaries.
Promoting an interest in learning can also benefit children during this time in their lives. Modeling positive relationships, encouraging your child to develop connections, and helping them explore and experiment with activities can also be beneficial.
Support options for parents of school-age children
If you want to ensure that your child has a healthy middle childhood but don't know if your parenting strategies are effective, you may benefit from working with a licensed therapist to learn new skills and address mental health and wellness. You don't have to have a mental illness to reach out to a therapist.
As a parent, finding the time in your busy schedule to drive to a therapist's office and attend sessions in person can be challenging. If this is the case for you, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a more convenient alternative because you can connect with a professional from home. In addition, you can choose an appointment time outside of standard business hours with some therapists.
Research has shown that online therapy can act as an effective treatment for various mental health conditions, so if you feel that stress, anxiety, depression, or another challenge is holding you back from being the best parent you can be, online support may be a practical choice. In addition, the study notes that online options can be as effective as in-person therapy.
Takeaway
What are the key elements of a healthy middle childhood for children?
Middle childhood (ages 6-12) is a time for many developmental milestones and identity changes.
For example, kids in middle childhood may begin spending less time with the family and more time engaging in school and social activities— paving the way for self-discovery and identity formation. It's a time of profound physical development, too, including an increase in stamina, motor skills, and muscle strength.
Various factors contribute to a healthy middle childhood. Here are some key elements:
Physical Health
A balanced diet and regular physical activity are essential for physical and cognitive development.
Emotional Well-Being
Teaching kids to identify and manage their emotions helps them navigate social situations and establish supportive relationships, contributing to emotional well-being.
Cognitive Development
Opportunity to receive quality education and a supportive learning environment foster cognitive development. Children in this stage should engage in activities that challenge the mind, such as reading, puzzles, and creative play, contributing to cognitive growth.
Social Skills
Positive social interactions with peers can help children develop the skills to navigate relationships and establish a sense of belonging. Teaching children how to resolve conflicts constructively is a crucial tool for middle childhood because it plays a vital role in healthy relationships.
Safety And Stability
A physically and emotionally safe environment at home and the child's school is essential for children's well-being. Daily routines provide a sense of stability and safety.
Autonomy, Independence, And Self-Discovery
Encouraging age-appropriate responsibilities fosters a sense of independence, and allowing children to make their own choices within appropriate limits helps develop decision-making skills. These factors give children the freedom and ability to explore and develop their sense of identity.
Communication
Continued language development is crucial for effective communication, and encouraging active listening skills enhances communication with peers and adults.
Coping Skills And Resilience
Teaching problem-solving skills helps children navigate challenges, and encouraging a positive mindset and the ability to bounce back from setbacks contributes to resilience.
What are the five needs of children in middle childhood?
A kid's needs in the developmental stages of middle childhood typically vary between children and their unique circumstances. In addition to necessities like food and shelter, school-age children in this phase need:
- Ample learning opportunities.
- Tools to cultivate self-esteem.
- Stable, healthy friendships.
- A harmonious home environment.
- Stability at home.
What is the most important aspect of middle childhood?
The most important developmental aspect of middle childhood is gaining independence. In this phase, the child develops individuality and plays a more active role in their family, school, and community.
Why is middle childhood considered the healthiest time in life?
While it may not be the healthiest time in life for everyone, children between 6-12 are considered to be the healthiest segment of the population within industrialized societies. It's often the stage in which humans most rapidly become physically stronger and develop better coordination and greater stamina. The tendency toward increased physical ability typically displayed during this time contributes to healthy weight, healthy bodies, and
What are the health concerns of middle childhood?
Generally speaking, the health issues of most concern for this age group are related to psychological and sociological development. This is a time when peer pressure becomes more prevalent, and it can have a substantial impact on an individual's mental health.
It's a time for heightened individualism, and without strong support and encouragement from family and mentors, children at this age are vulnerable to developing self-esteem issues and low self-confidence.
What is the physical development of middle childhood?
Motor skills, stamina, and muscle strength increase during middle childhood. Growth spurts aren't uncommon, and children often experience increased hunger and food intake. This is a time when children may show increased athleticism and begin to excel at sports.
Why is self-concept important in middle childhood?
With the expansion of social and self-awareness comes an awareness of others' perceptions. Children in this stage may become more sensitive to the expectations of others, and a sense of belonging often becomes integral to a child's self-concept. For some, the emergence of these factors can plant the seeds for mental disorders like depression and anxiety if children don't have strong, supportive families and role models.
There is ongoing research to suggest that mental disorders developed in childhood may have a significant impact on mental health later in life.
For example, a meta-analysis of thirty-seven studies published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), anxiety disorders, and depression were more susceptible to substance abuse in adolescence and young adulthood.
According to The National Institute of Mental Health, there are warning signs to look for that may indicate mental health issues in children and adolescents:
- Loss of interest in things once enjoyed.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Sudden academic decline.
- Behavioral problems at school and home.
- Physical problems such as stomach or headaches without a medical cause.
- Isolating and avoiding social activities with friends and family.
- Bouts of elevated energy, nervousness, irritability, and anger.
- Intense, irrational fear or worry.
What is most effective in increasing self-esteem for children in middle childhood?
Children in this phase need strong role models and ample positive reinforcement to develop strong self-confidence. They need a safe environment to build independence with parents and caregivers who set limits and establish clear rules for behavior. Assisting children in establishing strong values like empathy, kindness, and generosity is also an effective way to increase self-esteem for children in middle childhood.
Why is nutrition important in middle childhood?
Because it is a time of rapid growth, a nutritious diet is essential for cultivating a healthy lifestyle for middle childhood. Healthy eating habits developed now typically pave the way for good adolescent health, too.
Why is the ability to maintain attention especially important in middle childhood?
Most children in this stage transition from preschool learning to elementary school tasks, signaling increased expectations by parents and teachers to understand and accomplish simple tasks more independently. The ability to focus is essential for this transition and the expanded independence it brings.
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