Spotlight on middle childhood: Rejuvenating the 'forgotten years'.
Middle childhood, from six to 12 years of age, is often known as the 'forgotten years' of development because most research is focused on early childhood development or adolescent growth. However, middle childhood is rich in potential for cognitive, social, emotional and physical advancements. During this period, the brain is actively undergoing synaptic pruning and, as such, is constantly becoming more refined, a process that is heavily dependent on a child's environment. This discovery opens the door to optimizing the experiences a child needs to provide themselves with a strong foundation for adulthood. The present article reviews the neurological changes that occur in middle childhood, their impact on overall development and how to implement this knowledge to augment a child's capabilities.
Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto;
V Kandice
VK
Mah
E Lee
EL
Ford-Jones
Development; Neurobehavioural; Physical activity