Introduction

In the age range from 5 to 11, children move from preschool care into formal schooling.

In order to fit in and make the most of the new opportunities on offer, they need to develop a relatively stable understanding of themselves and others.

They also need to develop expectations of their own and other's behaviour and to develop strategies for controlling or managing their own behaviour. They become increasingly independent from their parents. Friendships and friendship groups start to become more important, as does peer acceptance. Their understanding of themselves, their own emotions and the emotions of others develops rapidly.

As social development is so closely linked to emotional development at this age, we will consider both of these developmental aspects together for this age group.