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8: Social and Emotional Development in Middle Childhood (Ages 7 to 12)
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8.0: What Does Psychology Say?
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The page discusses the experiences of Andre and Omar, two brothers who moved from Brazil to Boston. It highlights the challenges they face in adjusting to a new school and cultural environment during middle childhood, a critical period for identity development. Andre struggles with English and making friends, while Omar adapts more easily. Their parents are concerned about their cultural identity and social development.
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8.1: Identity, Self-Concept, and Self-Esteem in Middle Childhood
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This section focuses on development during middle childhood, highlighting key aspects such as Erikson's industry versus inferiority challenge, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and identity development. Children in this stage begin to compare their abilities with peers, influencing their self-concept. Gender and racial identities also develop as children navigate societal expectations and stereotypes, progressively attaining more complex self-concepts.
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8.2: Emotional Development and Socioemotional Learning in Middle Childhood
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This section discusses the social and emotional development in middle childhood, focusing on the growth in social skills, emotional regulation, and social cognition. It describes how children develop the ability to manage their emotions and cope with stress, highlighting techniques such as problem-solving and support seeking. Social cognition skills, including empathy and perspective-taking, assist children in maintaining healthy relationships.
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8.3: Social Contexts- Peers, Family, and Media in Middle Childhood
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This page discusses key aspects of middle childhood development, including friendships, family influences, aggression, bullying, and media use. It highlights how friendships evolve beyond proximity and demographic similarities, stressing shared interests and social skills. The role of family remains crucial, providing emotional support and influencing peer perceptions. Aggression in childhood can manifest physically or relationally, potentially leading to bullying.
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8.4: Context- School and Extracurricular Activities in Middle Childhood
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This section explores the influence of school climate and teacher-student relationships on child development. It emphasizes the importance of positive classroom environments in fostering student engagement and highlights how different teaching styles can impact student outcomes. The page also discusses the significance of cultural sensitivity, extracurricular activities, and parental expectations on academic performance.
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8.5: Atypical Development and Interventions in Middle Childhood
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The section discusses understanding and supporting children's socioemotional well-being and mental health during middle childhood. It highlights common problematic behaviors that can affect children's well-being, including internalizing (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalizing (e.g., aggression) behaviors.
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8.6: Key Terms
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8.7: Summary
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8.8: Review Questions
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8.9: Check Your Understanding Questions
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8.10: Personal Application Questions
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8.11: Essay Questions
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