The stages of early childhood and middle childhood are a time of rapid change for a child. As the child crosses from early childhood to middle childhood physical growth is subjective, much of the difference depending on the sex of the child. The brain begins to grow while it refines its connections network through processes such as pruning and synaptogenesis. The child will also evolve socially and emotionally; once a tantrum prone toddler they will soon begin conveying the independence and understanding of a future adolescent. These changes are also subjective according to individual as well as gender.
The child will experience a lot of physical change in early childhood. The arms, legs, and torso will stretch as the body strengthens to prepare for playing and working, as well as balancing, walking, and running. Factors that influence these changes include a healthy diet, adequate amounts of sleep, and proper amounts of activity . Children will continue developing and refining the motor skills they began acquiring in infancy. Studies performed in 2006 continue to show that in this stage females tend to develop fine motor skills quicker than males while males’ gross motor skills will develop quicker . Once the child reaches middle childhood more physical changes will begin. It is important to remember at this stage, between the ages of 6 and 12, that these changes depend greatly on the individual. Many children will begin experiencing puberty during this age but some will be what are considered “late bloomers” and experience puberty at a later time. Puberty is largely different for males and females. According to David Skuse in Child Psychology and Psychiatry: Frameworks for Practice, for young boys puberty means their voice will change, they may begin to grow facial hair as well as other body hair, their testicles will descend, and they may experience nocturnal emissions. Females will begin to grow breasts, begin menses, and grow bodily hair. Females tend to grow taller and more rapidly than males in this stage. Both sexes are susceptible to facial and body acne as well as weight loss or gain. They also begin to grow their permanent teeth. Proper nutrition and exercise is essential to these physical changes as well as dental health in either sex (99). Both sexes also continue developing fine and gross motor skills during this stage. Most young boys will begin engaging in sports and other activities, increasing their motor skills .
During the stages of early childhood and middle childhood the child’s brain and nervous system go through extreme changes. During infancy the brain creates synapses based on experiences, meaning that it creates more synapses than it will ever use. This is a process referred to as synaptic overproduction. In early childhood the brain begins to refine its network as well as its connection through a process called pruning. Pruning occurs when the brain begins to eliminate synapses that are no longer of use to the brain; it decides which synapses to eliminate based on experience. Connections that are used regularly become stronger while connections that are not used regularly are eventually pruned away so the network can run more efficiently (51). Throughout early childhood, the process of myelination occurs, continuing from infancy. This process of myelination is the reason the brain grows throughout early childhood, increasing to 80 percent of its adult size. Though they are still easily distracted, cognitively the child will begin thinking abstractly and engaging in pretend play (53).
Middle childhood presents many changes in the brain. The child’s memory will improve significantly. In particular, the child’s short-term memory will improve. This new ability will allow the child to focus on multiple things, think and respond more quickly, and pay closer attention when needed. It will all increase their ability to pay attention. According to studies performing in 2001 and again in 2005, selective attention will begin to increase as their overall attention span strengthens . This can be a handy tool when boisterous classmates attempt to distract their peers. Focused students will begin tuning out such distractions. Middle Childhood sees many changes in cognition for the child. The child begins to think in more concrete and logical terms. Despite this they continuously struggle to grasp hypothetical concepts. Children in middle childhood are less egocentric and therefore able to see situations from several different perspectives but still have difficulty thinking in terms of the future. Consequences, for example, are a difficult concept for a 7 to 12 year old to remember when they are breaking the rules . Children in middle childhood tend to remain engaged in the present which can lead to them having bad judgment about situations, people, and activities. The sexes become aware of their changing bodies as well as each other but it effects each of them differently. Young girls are susceptible to eating disorders due to higher concerns with body image while young boys tend to focus more on developing masculine traits such as strength.
Social and emotional development during early childhood is formative. Toddlers are prone to mood swings and tantrums can be very common depending on the child’s temperament. In most children these intense feelings are fleeting and they are able to go from screaming and crying to quietly playing with a toy in a matter of seconds. Socially the child will not initially want to share any of his or her toys but the concept of sharing is one that the child will begin to master throughout early childhood. Ann Sanson confirmed in Temperament and Social Development that this and other key concepts such as transitioning easily from one activity to another and getting along with others will be essential if the child is to be successful when they start school (143). A large part of their social and emotional development rests on paying attention to the adults around them, responding to how they act, and even mimicking how they act. Demonstrating appropriate behaviors when around a toddler is essential to their emotional and social development. Expressing pleasant feelings such as gratitude, happiness, and trying to be helpful will allow the child to see how they must interact with people outside the home, thus giving them a basis of understanding for how to interact with future classmates (142). Building emotional intelligence and development can be promoted by encouraging the child to consider the feelings of others. Once they begin to understand their own feelings they can begin to assess how those around them feel which can help foster cooperation. Despite good examples, boys tend to show a higher rate of behavioral problems than girls during early childhood while girls tend to listen better which is suggestive to why they are more empathetic (147).
The social and emotional changes of middle childhood are rapid and dramatic. During middle childhood children become more socially competent and confident as they strive for increased independence. Socially their world has broadened since starting school and they no longer cling to their family as they did when they were toddlers. The child’s self-concept begins to develop as they compare themselves to their peers and learn where they fit in socially. In the early years of middle childhood it is common for the child to overestimate him or herself in their ability to master talents but this is all a part of building self-esteem. However, a young girl who is proud of being the best speller in the class may be disappointed when a classmate beats her in the spelling bee. The realization that she is not the best can impact her sense of self. If spelling is still important she will study or she may find that she likes basketball much more and begin practicing that instead. The fear of social rejection and bullying becomes increasingly threatening during middle childhood as children become choosier about who they will be friends with. Children who are too shy or too aggressive are usually avoided which is why emotional growth is so important. Girls do tend to feel more secure in close tight groups while boys seem more comfortable in a boisterous atmosphere with many people. Emotionally, girls can withstand failure better than boys while boys are prone to blaming outside variable instead of themselves.
Many changes take place between early childhood and middle childhood. The small, somewhat disproportionate child of two who does not like to share and is prone to wild tantrums slowly grows into an independent social butterfly. Toddlers make the leap from barely being able to hold a pencil to tossing a football half way down a field or twirling a baton. They learn to regulate their emotions, get along with others, empathize, and begin trying to fit in with those around them all while beginning puberty. Though males and females differ in some way throughout early and middle childhood one thing is certain, they are all on their way to growing up.
References
Berk, L. (2007). Exploring Lifespan Development. Pearson: New York.
Sanson, A., Hemphill, S. A., Yagmurlu, B., & Mclowry, S. (2010). Temperament and Social Development. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Skuse, D., Helen, B., Dowdney, L., & Mrazek, D. (2011). Child Psychology and Psychiatry: Frameworks for Practice. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
