Middle Childhood Age 6-11

1. Based on the evidence from age 6 and 8 years, how well is your child adapting to the school social environment and to the peer group? To what extent does this adaptation seem to depend on personality characteristics that are fairly stable in your child, and to what extent does your child seem to be developing novel behavior to cope with these new situations?

At age 6, Olivia is adapting very well to the school social environment. She demonstrates appropriate peer social interactions. She seems to enjoy hanging out with peers. She mostly hangs out with girls in small groups or in one-one situations. She is able to play with boys, she just seemed to prefer to hang out with girls her own age. She is very popular and is invited to many parties and activities otuside of school. Her personality seems fairly stable she does not have extreme behaviors such as being really quiet and withdrawn or loud and difficult to handle. She is even tempered especially at school. A novel behavior that she has is adapting to new situations, which was at one point difficult for her to do.

At age 8, she has a best friend. She also works well with others in her after school groups. Some of her firends are tomboys and she does play with the neighborhood boys outside.

2. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems that have become apparent between 6 and 10 years of age? (some possibilities include internalizing and externalizing problems, ADHD, and obesity). Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?

She works cooperatively with others. She is friendly and outgoing. When she is stressed sometimes she can get upset, however she is able to calm herself and resume activities normally. This could eventually turn into an anxiety issue if not properly addressed, but hopefully, I can help her learn on strategies to help reduce the stress herself. She does sometimes fight with her younger sister at home. I think that is a fairly normal occurrence for a child of her age. The fights are usually just a lot of yelling and are easily stoppable. At home she also understands what is expected and in the end she really does get along well with me, my spouse and her sister.