Early and Middle Childhood

Early and Middle Childhood Student’s Name Institution Course Number and Name Instructor’s Name Date Early and Middle Childhood Early Childhood Early childhood, which is also known as preschool years, refers to the period between toddlerhood and formal school. The age bracket for early childhood is 3 to 6 years and it is during this period that the child learns language, gains a sense of self, develops more independence, and begins to learn how the physical world works (Lumen Learning, n.d.). In early childhood, children not only increase their height but also get stronger and better at controlling their bodies (Kuther, 2022). Early childhood is characterized by the child experiencing significant motor skills development, rapid brain growth, and improvements in attention and reasoning (Kuther, 2022). In essence, early childhood is a critical period for the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of the child. Middle Childhood Children in middle childhood are typically aged between 6 and 11 years (Kuther, 2022). The stage begins when children have just started schooling and last up to adolescence. According to Lumen Learning (n.d.), the rate of growth for children in middle childhood generally slows down. With the brain reaching its adult size during this period, the child has improved abilities to plan and coordinate activities using both of the brain’s hemispheres. Furthermore, children in this stage have better control of their emotions. Given that they've just begun schooling, their world is primarily characterized by learning. They test their skills and compare their accomplishments and abilities with other children in their age groups. In addition, it is at this stage that children interact with other students and friends, which helps them develop social awareness outside the family. Transition from Early Childhood to Middle Childhood Physical Changes For healthy developing children, the transition from early childhood to middle childhood is characterized by many significant changes in physical and motor functioning. The child gains between 5 t...