ABSTRACT
The pace of change in 5- to 11-year-olds is less rapid than in their early years—thankfully so, most parents would admit. It is nevertheless substantial, though in ways that are usually less obvious. Often there are periods when children just seem to be consolidating advances made earlier. Some children come home from primary school and tell mum and dad all about their day, and other stories about goings-on at school will be shared between parents at the school gate. Children with learning difficulties are likely to begin to compare their progress with their siblings. This can have unfortunate consequences. The age at which children are required to attend school fulltime is 5 years in the UK, though in many other countries it is 6. For many parents this is a straightforward step. Their children will attend the local primary, infant, or first school.
