As children begin school and navigate more complex social environments, they benefit greatly from consistent support, clear expectations, and encouragement at home.
This stage is an opportunity for parents to strengthen communication, model problem-solving skills, and guide children toward healthy independence while maintaining a strong, loving connection.
Developmental milestones
Middle childhood brings many changes in a child’s life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily using only their hands, and tie their shoes. Having independence from family becomes more important now.
Emotional/social changes
Children in this age group might:
- Want to be liked and accepted by friends.
- Show more independence from parents and family.
- Start to think about the future.
- Understand more about their place in the world.
- Pay more attention to friendships and teamwork.
Thinking and learning
Children in this age group might:
- Show rapid development of mental skills.
- Learn better ways to describe experiences.
- Learn better ways to talk about thoughts and feelings.
- Have less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.
Building strong connections
Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your child during this time:
- Talk with your child about school, friends, and things they look forward to in the future.
- Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage them to help people in need.
- Do fun things together as a family, such as playing games, reading, and going to events in your community.
- Get involved with your child’s school. Meet the teachers and staff and get to understand their learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child do well.
- Continue reading to your child. As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other.
- Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage them to solve problems, such as a disagreement with another child, on their own.
- Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as team sports, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage them to solve problems, such as a disagreement with another child, on their own.
Fostering responsibility and positive behavior
Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your toddler during this time:
- Continue to read to your child.
- Nurture their love for books by taking them to the library or bookstore.
- Let your child help with simple chores.
- Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child.
- Explain and show the behavior that you expect from them. Whenever you tell them no, follow up with what they should be doing instead.
- Help your child develop good language skills by speaking to them in complete sentences and using “grown up” words. Help them to use the correct words and phrases.
- Help your child through the steps to solve problems when they are upset.
- Give your child a limited number of simple choices (for example, deciding what to wear, when to play, and what to eat for snack).
Child safety first
More physical ability and more independence can put children at risk for injuries from falls and other accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of death from unintentional injury among children this age.
- Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and firearms out of your child’s reach.
- Teach your child to watch out for traffic and how to be safe when walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.
- Make sure your child understands water safety, and always supervise them when they are swimming or playing near water.
- Supervise your child when they are engaged in risky activities, such as climbing.
- Talk with your child about how to ask for help when they needs it.
Car Seat Recommendations for Children
Protect your child properly in the car. For detailed information on car seats, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recommendations by age.
Your words shape your child’s sense of self and connection. Check out our pocast to learn approaches that communicate compassion, foster belonging, and show your child they are valued, no matter the circumstance.
Healthy bodies
Here are a few tips to help keep your growing child healthy:
- Parents can help make schools healthier. Work with your child’s school to limit access to foods and drinks with added sugar, solid fat, and salt that can be purchased outside the school lunch program.
- Make sure your child has 1 hour or more of physical activity each day.
- Practice healthy eating habits and physical activity early.
- Encourage active play, and be a role model by eating healthy at family mealtimes and having an active lifestyle.
- Make sure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep each night: 9–12 hours per 24 hours (including naps) for school-age children 6–12 years.
Screen time and limits
Keep television sets out of your child’s bedroom. Set limits for screen time for your child to no more than 1 hour per day of quality programming, at home, school, or afterschool care and develop a media use plan for your family. Learn more about the AAP recommendations.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Positive Parenting Tips: Middle Childhood (6–8 years old), https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/middle-childhood-6-8-years.html | Public domain. Published May 2024. Retrieved May 2025.
