Middle Childhood and Hormone Surges

Corporate to Kids - 4 Sep 19

‘In middle childhood, kids start making sense.’
Benjamin Campbell, Anthropologist.

My six-year-old turned into a teenager overnight. Think Kevin and Perry and sulks of ‘I hate my life/you,’ or anything and everything at all that fits the mood. While I tried to blame this on tiredness, it might be a hormone surge. Could it be out of his control and instead something that nature has inflicted? Just when as a parent I smugly thought I had until the teen years to escape the dreaded hormones, could they be fast approaching in the phase of middle childhood or Adrenarche?

What is Middle Childhood?

It’s reported that middle childhood starts around six and is the period between toddler and teens. During this time subtle changes occur in children. Their adult teeth begin to appear, and growth spurts may occur. Skeletal growth slows in wait for the super growth during puberty. Beyond the physical, the brain is almost at adult size allowing a period of cognitive creativity and development. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but this should mean that children can start to reason, plan, control their impulses and focus. A collective round of fingers crossed for parents.

What can parents expect?

The New York Times referred to middle childhood as a ‘Developmental watershed, when children emerge from the shadows of dependency and start taking their place in the wider world.’ I love this quote because it sums up this period, and yet as a parent, it’s a scary prospect. My boys are my babies (I know, I know all a bit nausea-inducing) and I can’t believe my eldest is potentially transitioning into the wider world. I appreciate this doesn’t mean he is about to roll up his shirt sleeves, pack up his laptop and jump on the train to his hotshot job tomorrow, but it does probe the maternal senses a tad.

What is Adrenarche?

Adrenarche (pronounced ad-ren-ar-ke) is said to occur before puberty and is a process that allows children to transition into puberty. Is usually occurs between the ages of six and eight when the male hormones, androgens, start to be produced in both sexes. Some children may experience skin changes as a result of hormone changes, and some may even begin to experience armpit hair growth or a change in body odour. Poor kids, it sounds like they have the potential to be teenagers aged six to eight! I had never heard of Adrenarche before I started this research and I’m still struggling to believe that hormones can potentially be so prevalent at such a young age. Is it really likely that my six-year-old will start to sprout armpit hair? Aside from laughing at the prospect, I can’t even contemplate it.

Do these stages exist?

Middle Childhood has only thrived as a concept since the eighties. Since then, various studies have been carried out, and conflicting opinions have arisen. Some researchers say that it begins around the age of eight and others from six. Regardless of how we label these phases of childhood, it’s palpable that changes occur. Physical and social development changes occur as do motor skills. Independence develops, friendships become more important, and children may consider their future.

What can parents do?

There are many ways we can support our children during middle childhood. It’s important to talk and listen to them and help them develop a sense of responsibility. We can teach them about respect, friendships and consequences. Whether we like it or not, it’s also really important to stick to rules if we initiate them. It’s a huge period of learning for children. Parents have to help them discover new friendships, hobbies and challenges. Who said parenting got easier?

Whether you embrace the concept of middle childhood or you refer to it as something else, there’s no denying that from about six changes are occurring. Physical, social and emotional change is afoot, and it’s our job as parents to guide our children through it. I’m hoping this middle childhood malarkey explains my six-year-old’s sudden outbursts. I figure that he’s getting it out of his system now so we can breeze through the teenage years. If nothing else, I’m an optimist.

Corporate to Kids

Who: Sarah - Queen of self-deprecation Job: from corporate HR career to Mum, Writer and Blogger Children: two boys with a 13 month age gap!! Obsessions: writing, Haribos, rainbows, coffee, fizz

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