Social Emotional Development - 6 Year Olds 

Written By Christina King

“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed” - Maria Montessori 

And here we are, already into middle childhood (6-8 year olds). From a social emotional perspective, what are our fierce little first graders up to? Let’s look at what we can expect: 

  • Starting to understand cause-and-effect relationships and considering the future

  • Playing with imagination and fantasy 

  • Continuing to develop empathy and understanding the feelings of others (esp with the help of adults)

  • Developing ability to apologize for mistakes and accidents  

  • Can still have fears (e.g. monsters under the bed)

  • Creating more independence from parents and greater interest in peers 

  • Continuing to learn cooperation and sharing 

  • Beginning to lie or cheat - they are beginning to understand their impact on the world and finding limits 

  • Starting to experience “trickier emotions,” such as frustration or jealousy 

 

As our children rapidly request (or maybe demand) more independence, how can we support the skills needed to foster adaptability and capability? 

  • Modeling empathy and inquiring how other kids or media characters are feeling  

  • Encouraging apologies and accountability 

  • Creating opportunities for kids to make their own choices (e.g. what activities they partake in) 

  • Increasing their responsibility (e.g. dressing themselves, packing their snack, brushing their teeth, etc) 

  • Scheduling play dates with friends 

  • Practicing turn-taking and sharing

  • Normalizing mistakes, learning, and growing 

  • Giving kids space to sort our mistakes, address conflict with peers, ect

  • Addressing lying or cheating and reinforcing honesty 

 

If you have any questions, please feel encouraged to reach out christina@christinakingfamilytherapy.com.   

 

Yours In Service, 

Christina King, LMFT 145704

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Citations and Resources: 

Wood, Chip. 2017. Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development 4-14 (4th ed). Center for Responsive Schools. 

(2024, May 16). Positive Parenting Tips: Middle Childhood (6-8 years old). CDC, Child Development. https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/middle-childhood-6-8-years.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/middle.html

 

 

Christina King

Christina King is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Manhattan Beach. Her work focuses on South Bay tweens & teens struggling with anxiety and depression. In addition to private practice, she also counsels students at Pacific Elementary and Manhattan Beach Middle School.

https://www.christinakingfamilytherapy.com/
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