ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an introduction to elementary school-age children's development, areas of study, and areas of practice. Physical activity is essential for healthy growth during middle childhood. Intellectual development in middle childhood includes advances in cognition and language. Families and peer groups play a crucial role in children's emotional development. Many studies have shown that parental involvement in children's education has a positive influence on children's academic achievement, behavior in school, and overall educational attainment. Much of the developmental research on middle childhood focuses on the school context. Examples of this research on middle childhood include curriculum and instruction, bullying and peer victimization, and children and technology. Facilitating the development of literacy and numeracy skills has long been one of the primary responsibilities of elementary education, as these skills lay the foundation for later learning in school, but also provide a means to self-learning.
