Middle Childhood Chapter 6

Middle Childhood

Developmental period from ages 6 to 12 characterized by steady growth and cognitive development.

Growth in Middle Childhood

Children grow 2-3 inches and gain 5-7 pounds per year, with muscle adjustments leading to growing pains.

Frontal Lobe Pruning

Process that begins around age 9, involving changes in logic, reasoning, self-regulation, and memory.

Gross Motor Skills

Skills that involve large muscle movements; improvements seen in coordination, speed, strength, agility, and balance.

Fine Motor Skills

Skills that involve small muscle actions, such as holding a pencil or using scissors.

Child Obesity

Condition where 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese, increasing risks for various health problems.

Epigenetics

Study of how genetics and environmental factors influence traits like obesity.

Information Processing

Children’s mental processes analogous to computer systems, involving strategies to solve problems.

Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage

Developmental stage where children develop logical thinking about concrete events and objects.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty attending and completing tasks, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Emotional Regulation

Ability to manage emotional states and responses to internal and external stimuli.

Self-Esteem

Judgment of self-worth and competence in various life domains such as academics and social relationships.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson’s stage of development where children develop a sense of competence through tasks and goals.

Moral Reasoning

Judgment about right and wrong informed by individual values and societal norms.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Framework outlining stages of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional.

Prosocial Behavior

Behavior aimed at helping others, often characterized by empathy and sympathy.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another individual, classified into proactive, reactive, and relational forms.

Friendships in Middle Childhood

Relationships based on trust, emotional support, and loyalty, with smaller, close-knit groups often forming.

Bullying

A repeated aggressive behavior where children intentionally harass or dominate others, including forms like cyberbullying.

Interventions for Bullying

Programs aimed at preventing bullying through school policy and culture change.