During middle childhood, children continue to build on the foundation of social and emotional skills established during early childhood, while also facing new challenges and opportunities for growth. This chapter will explore the various aspects of social and emotional development in middle childhood, including the development of self-concept and identity, relationships with peers and adults, emotional regulation, and moral reasoning.

Throughout middle childhood, children are increasingly able to understand and express their thoughts, feelings, and preferences, leading to the development of a more complex sense of self. They begin to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and may compare themselves to others to better understand their abilities and limitations. At the same time, children become more aware of social norms and expectations and may adjust their behavior to fit in with their peers or gain adult approval.

Peer relationships become increasingly important during middle childhood as children spend more time interacting with their peers outside of school and engage in more complex forms of play and social interaction. They begin to form close friendships based on shared interests and experiences and develop a greater understanding of the perspectives and feelings of others. At the same time, children may also experience social challenges, such as bullying or exclusion, that can have significant impacts on their emotional well-being.

Emotional regulation is another key aspect of social and emotional development during middle childhood. Children become more skilled at recognizing and managing their own emotions. They may begin to use coping strategies, such as talking to friends or engaging in relaxation techniques to deal with stress or anxiety. They also become more attuned to the emotions of others and may develop greater empathy and sensitivity to the needs of others.

Finally, middle childhood is a time when children begin to develop a more complex understanding of moral reasoning and ethical behavior. They begin to understand the concepts of fairness, justice, and responsibility, and they may apply these concepts to their own behavior as well as to the behavior of others. As they navigate new social and emotional challenges, children continue to build on the skills and abilities established during earlier stages of development and prepare for the complex social and emotional landscapes of adolescence and adulthood.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the stages of social and emotional development in middle childhood.
2. Compare and contrast theories of moral development.
3. Examine the complex nature of gender identity in middle childhood.
4. Analyze the impact of caregivers, peers, and environmental influences on social emotional and moral development in middle childhood.

Key Terms

Throughout this chapter, you will be introduced to important key terms that will help deepen your understanding of human development.

• Gender identity: a person’s deeply held sense of their own gender, which may be different than the sex they were assigned at birth
• Moral development: the process through which individuals acquire and internalize moral values, beliefs, and principles and develop the ability to distinguish right from wrong
• Nature versus nurture: the ongoing debate in psychology and other fields about the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping human behavior, traits, and development
• Peer group: a social group composed of individuals who are similar in age, social status, interests, and other characteristics and who interact with one another regularly
• Self-concept: the cognitive and perceptual understanding that an individual has of themselves, including the beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, and evaluations that a person holds about their own identity, abilities, characteristics, and worth
• Self-esteem: the subjective evaluation and perception that an individual has of their own worth, value, and overall sense of self

Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives

“Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives” by Terese Jones is licensed under CC BY 4.0.