Middle Childhood

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the observed child is representative of Jean Piaget's concrete operational stage, which occurs between ages 7 and about 12, and the third stage of cognitive development marked by a gradual decrease in centrist thought and the increased ability to focus on more than one aspect of a stimulus. The author points out that, at eight years, children evaluate themselves against the standards of others---parents, peers and teachers; therefore, because their performances often do not measure up to the perceived standards of others, they can feel inadequate and unhappy. The paper relates that this boy has excellent gross motor skills, which is significant because motor skills are important in social interactions at this age. The paper includes the developmental checklist.

From the Paper:

"This style of attachment develops from a parenting style, which is more disengaged. The child's needs frequently are not met and the child comes to believe that communication of needs has no influence on the parent. He does not care if his father is there or not, and when some strangers came to the playground with their children he showed them the same attention. He plays with strange children and he does not care if he knows them or not."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 56-95.
• Erikson , E., (1950) . Childhood and Society
• Piaget , J., (1966) .The Psychology of the Child

More papers on Middle Childhood:

• Essay # 46473 : "Middle Childhood"
• Research Paper # 94894 : "Middle Childhood"
• Research Paper # 67923 : "Divorce and Middle Childhood"

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