Middle Childhood Development

(Ages Six through Twelve)

Community

Among our priorities in middle childhood development are the following Result Areas:

Actively involving parents in the quality of their child’s education.

Shifting traditional learning environments’ focus on adult needs toward a concentration on children’s needs.

Changing traditional learning environments so that they become more closely aligned with children’s developmental needs.

Adding to the number of the 40 Developmental Assets that children possess.

Increasing the ability of youth-serving organizations to address the developmental needs of 6-12 year olds.

Strengthening community involvement in the development of 6-12 year olds.

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We believe that middle childhood development builds on a child’s early childhood experiences. We also believe that each child develops in their own way, and on a timetable that reflects their unique needs.

Child development research tells us that children of this age:

  • Develop a strong interest in the world around them.
  • Long for an array of experiences outside of their home.
  • Thrive as they interact with positive adult role models other than parents, family and caregivers.
  • Are in a fragile emotional stage for self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Begin developing the ability to reason.
  • Move from concrete to abstract thinking.
  • Need a stimulating environment centered on their needs.

In this area of focus we want to fund projects that result in opportunities for children ages 6-12 to develop socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.

In the area of Middle Childhood Development we want to invest in the following results:

  • Increase the number of parents who are actively involved in choosing the quality of their child’s education.
  • Transition learning environments from a focus on adult needs to a focus on children’s needs.
  • Increase the number of learning environments that are closely aligned with children’s developmental needs.  (These environments will include:  engaging, age-appropriate materials and learning processes designed to address the developmental needs of each child.)
  • Increase the total number of Developmental Assets that children possess.
  • Increase the number of youth-serving organizations that are prepared to address the developmental needs of six to twelve year-olds.
  • Increase community involvement in the development of six through twelve year-olds.


Back to Step 2, Research