Middle Childhood: Emotional Development

Emotional development and regulation become increasingly important as

school- age children want to be successful in their learning, academics, and peer relationships.

Anxiety can also look like

anger, aggression, behavioral difficulties, confused with ADHD.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common

mental health disorder among children and adolescents.

In pre-adolescents and adolescents fears become

more social-based, related to belongingness

World is a stage, and everyone is watching

particularly in middle school

Give information on

a need-to know basis; stick with concrete, brief and realistic facts

Red flags

persistent fears that impact daily functioning, avoiding activities , school, or social situations

Anxiety disorders if unaddressed lead to

greater incidence in depression, and substance use disorders and increase the risk of suicide in older adolescents, so important to address particularly when functioning becomes LIMITED due to anxiety

As many as one-third of adolescents in the US

may experience persistent anxiety, yet some experts claim that the condition continues to be underdiagnosed

Some anxiety is

normal and healthy

What we don’t say is

the SCARIEST to children

Children are a lot more anxious when

they feel that information is being withheld , increased anxiety about what they DON’T know, they will fill in the gaps with potentially worse information.

Fears are protective in

keeping kids safe, allowing kids to make good decisions independently – as they can better anticipate consequences

As kids mature, they also develop

better ability to develop and use coping strategies

In typical children, fears are

mild and short-term

Common stressors during school age

~In age 6-7, may fear the dark, “bad guys”, animals
~natural disasters or current events
~New life stressors and issues within the family: A divorce, a parent's losing a job
~May also feel anxious about schoolwork, grades, or fitting in with friends.

An estimated 43% of children between ages 6 and 12 reported

having consistent fears and worries.

The fears of school age children are more

realistic

Transitions from “monsters” under bed to

more realistic circumstances as they process world around them.

Secure attachment associated with

reduced anxiety in school-age children

In one study, school-age children who displayed a secure attachment to their mother were

less likely to be excluded by peers, less aggressive behavior

Evidence that better parent-child relationship

sets the stage for later social relationships

Research suggests that encouraging children to talk about their “negative” emotions, such as anger or fear, can help them

understand what's causing the feeling and ultimately how to appropriately express and manage their feelings

Need to first identify emotion, in order to

build ‘tolerance’ for it

Developmental changes in School-Age/Middle Childhood include improved

emotional understanding.

Developmental changes in School-Age/Middle Childhood include increased understanding that

more than one emotion can be experienced in a particular situation. (two things can be true, bittersweet)

Developmental changes in School-Age/Middle Childhood include ability to better

control or conceal negative emotional reactions.

Developmental changes in School-Age/Middle Childhood include the capacity for

genuine empathy.