Middle Childhood Fact Sheet

Physical Milestone
During these ages, children have increases in their running speed to 18 feet per second, they can
fluidly skip and step sideways, their vertical jump has increased from four to 12 inches, and
increased their ability to catch smaller balls that have been thrown over longer distances (Berk,
2013). As children get older, they refine their skills and master them.

Language Milestone
During elementary school, children’s vocabulary increases to comprehending around 40,000
words and learn about 20new words every day (Berk, 2013). The average eight to 10-year-old is
able to comprehend subtle metaphors like “spilling the beans” which also allows for a change in
the child’s humor (Berk, 2013). In as little as 21 minutes of reading per day, children can be
exposed to around two million words per year (Berk, 2013).

Cognitive Milestone
Between seven to 11 years old, Piaget states that children have the ability to order items by their
length and width efficiently and they have a better understanding of space than preschoolers do
(Berk, 2013). During this age, children maps become more organized and
they are able to give clear and organized directions in order to get from
place to place (Berk, 2013).

Social-Emotional Milestone
Between the ages of seven and 11, children are aware that people can have
mixed feelings and their expression may not show their feelings (Berk,
2013). Also, at this age, empathy increases and their ability to take
different perspectives improves (Berk, 2013).

Moral Reasoning/Self-Regulation Milestone

By age 10, children are able to manage emotion by identifying what is
difficult, and then deciding what to do about it. They also engage in
internal and private coping which helps to control distress when they
cannot do much about the situation (Berk, 2013). By age 11, children are
able to generate an increased variety of strategies that allow them to delay their gratification
(Berk, 2013).

Atypical Development
Between the ages of six and eight years old, a child may be developing atypically if they speak
in only two to three-word sentences (Typical and Atypical, n.d.). Another sign of atypical
development would be if a six to eight-year-old can only follow single step instructions (Typical
and Atypical, n.d.). A typically developing child should be able to follow multi step directions
and be able to break them down one by one.

Social Factor that Influences Middle Childhood

• Friendship- Spending higher amounts of time with their peers helps children to find a
place in a social group. This allows them to learn more about social rules and to consider
other people’s point of view.

Cultural Factor that Influences Middle Childhood

• Community- In this period of development, people’s culture can be categorized by the
community they live in. If the community has extra-curricular activities for the children
to be involved in, it gives the children more opportunities to interact with others and
develop in sports or other extracurriculars.

Play-Based Strategies
All children have different abilities and like different things. It is important to figure out your
child’s abilities and like/dislikes. Allow your child to choose activities that they would like to do,
but make sure they are appropriate for their abilities (The Growing Child, n.d.). Set a play to do
those activities with your child. This may be playing a sport together or cooking together.
Another play-based strategy is to engage in creative play with your child. This may include
doing art or theater. This will help your child engage in their creative side and develop their self-
esteem.
 References

Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Retrieved

from https://content.ashford.edu/

The Growing Child-Stanford Children's Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-growing-child-school-age-6-

to-12-years-90-P02278

Typical and Atypical Child Development [PDF]. (n.d.). Wisconsin Department of Health

Services. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/waiver/county/mod2-matrices.pdf