It's can be surprising to see how tall kids grow week to week. But have you ever thought of all the impressive ways a child's brain grows? As early as age 3, a child’s brain grows to 80% of its adult size. Today, we're excited to zoom in on a season of childhood: middle childhood, children ages 6-12.
Why Middle Childhood?
What’s so special about this season in your child's life? The experiences in “middle childhood (usually defined as ages 6 to 12 years) are extremely important for a child’s healthy development and lifelong health and well-being.” During this time, children are developing crucial life skills. They are also experiencing social and emotional development (SED), gaining "skills for expressing and regulating emotions, and managing social relationships.”
The skills they learn here exponentially equip them for life.
As a parent, the moments you spend in your child’s life (especially during middle childhood) make a huge impact.
Our MILLU team has seen this in our own stories growing up. MILLU Co-Founder, Sarah Hartono, says that “because of my parents' intention in parenting, I have experienced being more ready for adulthood in a healthy way. The time doing "small things" together in middle childhood really shaped my teen and adult life. I only realize it now and am very grateful.” (Learn more about the MILLU founders here).
When there isn't enough quality time spent together as a family, children are more likely to participate in risky behaviors later in life, like drug or alcohol usage. It may also lead to an erosion of the importance of values such as love and empathy for others.
This is the very reason MILLU creates kits for 6-12 year-olds. It's too important of a life stage, and we know that parents spending quality time with their kids is a game-changer.
Ideas for Your Kid in Middle-Childhood
If you are a parent of a kid in middle childhood, we’re so glad you’re here! These years are a crucial time to connect with your child on a deeper level.
Here are a few ideas for building your child's confidence today:
- Affirm Their Uniqueness. Each child is unique. Your kid has a personality of their own, and we celebrate that. We call these differences “Superpowers.” Take some time to get to know your child’s strengths and have fun following your child’s curiosity.
- Play Together. Have you ever watched your child play and seen the wheels turning in their mind? When your child plays, their brain is creative. An article from The American Academy of Pediatrics says that “play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” MILLU agrees that “fun and games” can and should be a priority for your kid’s life.
- Spend Quality Time. One of the best gifts you can give your kids in middle childhood is the gift of being present. Stanford Medicine gives these recommendations to parents of children 6-12: “spending uninterrupted time together and giving full attention to your child,” and “encouraging your child to talk with you and be open with his or her feelings.”
We hope you had fun learning more about this important life stage. But what if your kid has already 'graduated' from middle childhood? Is it too late? Definitely not. The brain is constantly growing and has a powerful ability to change (learn more about the science of the brain here).
Whatever your child’s age, we’re here to cheer you on as you help your kids grow in confidence—during their middle childhood and beyond. These years are worth the time investment ❣️!
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About MILLU: we create immersive quality time for families to play, heal, and grow together. Our kits are designed to set the foundation for resilience, a growth mindset, and critical thinking—skills needed for future leaders.
