Middle Childhood Development (Age 7-11)

Physical: During middle childhood around 7-12 years of age, a child has found that his physical development has become more refined. He is able to run at high speeds and he can skip. Children during this period have begun to throw a ball for great distance and even bounce or dribble a basketball (Berk, 2013). Language: The child who is at 6-10 years of age has developed and understands approximately 10,000 words. He also can acquire the meanings of new words through the use of context and definition (Berk, 2013). Cognitive: Children who are around the age of 7-11 years old have begun to organize their thoughts and place them into a logical order. He is able to construct maps and demonstrate effective spatial reasoning (Berk, 2013). Social/Emotional: Children between 7-11 years of age begin to have internal standards with expectations of good behavior for self. Understands that others have feelings and that sometimes they may show their true feelings about situations (Berk, 2013)..

Moral Reasoning/Self-Regulation: Around 6-11 years of age children understand the intentions of others as well as their expectations for reciprocal cooperation. Children have also begun to internalize what is normal and what is appropriate when it comes to good conduct and social standards. Cultural Factors that Influence Development: Culture is influential on the moral behaviors of children across the world. For example, children from Asian cultures such as Japan and China place great emphasis on respect for adults. In the U.S. religion plays significant role in about 2/3 of the population in the development of morals. Social Factors that Influence Development: The social world of the child will impact him in negative ways if he is exposed to a hostile home and community environment. Children may interpret behaviors of others as confrontational and aggressive. A-Typical Development: Language impairment is where the child has problems expressing needs, ideas, or information, and/or in understanding what others say (NICHCY, 2011). Strategies: Families should work closely with the childs teachers and Speech and language Pathologists. Keeping teachers informed of your childs IEP goals and progress will benefit his learning.