Ages Six Through Twelve

School-age children enter the age of industry. They want to be competent, helpful, and fair. New capacities emerge fast:

• Logical thinking begins around age seven but stays concrete, not abstract
• They can follow multi-step routines but may still need visual checklists
• Moral reasoning develops, so they care intensely about fairness
• Friendships become central and social rejection feels devastating
• They delay gratification briefly but struggle with long-term goals

The biggest mistake here is over-helping. Let them struggle with homework, work out friend conflicts, and manage their own belongings to build competence and autonomy.