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Lifespan Development

What Does Psychology Say?

Lifespan DevelopmentWhat Does Psychology Say?
Photo of young children with backpacks getting onto a yellow school bus.
Figure 7.1 Middle childhood is a time of rapid physical and cognitive changes. During this period, children develop physical and cognitive abilities that allow them to succeed in school settings and in other organized activities such as sports, dance and music. (credit: modification of work "Indie's First Bus Ride, Kindergarten" by Rob Briscoe/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

7.1 Physical Development and Health in Middle Childhood
7.2 Cognition in Middle Childhood
7.3 Intelligence in Middle Childhood
7.4 Contexts: School and Learning Diversity in Middle Childhood
7.5 Language in Middle Childhood

It is the first day of a new school year, and Cynthia is helping her two children prepare for the day. Her son Matt is starting fifth grade, while her daughter Sari is entering first grade. Cynthia has already dropped off the supplies the kids will need at school. Matt’s supplies included notebooks, pencils, scissors, and colored pencils. Sari’s items were crayons, markers, scissors, pencils, and a mat for rest time.

Sari is nervous but also excited. She needs help packing and zipping her backpack, which Cynthia does while preparing her breakfast and packing her lunch and a snack. While she eats her breakfast, Sari talks about being excited and not sitting in the kindergarten section of the bus this year. She also asks whether she will need to write both her first and last name. Matt has just finished dressing himself, although his clothes do not match. Cynthia is encouraging independence, so she simply praises him for getting ready. She supervised as he packed his own lunch, but encouraged him to choose between a few healthy options, and they've agreed he will have school lunches twice a week. She talks to Matt about his school schedule, which includes daily time for reading and math but not for recess. Matt worries that he will not be able to sit all day. He also worries about how much homework he will have and whether he will have time to play with friends. At the same time, he is excited to be in the oldest grade in the school and assures Sari that he will be able to show her around and introduce her to all the teachers.

As Cynthia watches Matt and Sari board the school bus, she finds herself wondering:

  • Will Sari have the fine motor skills she needs to be able to tie her shoes and write her name?
  • How much sleep will Sari and Matt need to be successful learners?
  • Would it be better for fifth-graders to still have a daily recess time?
  • Will the school lunches provide the nutrition that Sari and Matt need?

This chapter discusses what to expect for both physical and cognitive development in children who are in middle childhood.

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