In the middle to late childhood (6-12 years), kids experience a transformative phase. This stage brings many changes in peer experiences, friendship, social structure, and self-esteem due to the influence of formal schooling and more complex social interactions. We'll explore these changes, how they occur, and why they are important.

Key Idea: From Spontaneous to Structured Play

Remember when kids used to play without any rules, filled with spontaneity and fantasy? Well, that changes in this stage. Schooling brings a different form of play, introducing games with rules. Whether it's dodgeball or board games, hide-and-seek, or tag, these games require greater collaboration and teamwork.

Real-life Example: Think about a game of football. It's not just about kicking the ball; players need to understand their positions, follow the rules, and work as a team to score goals. This complexity is a far cry from pre-school pretend-play or simple games with no set rules.

key Idea: From Actions to Emotions

Friendship isn't just about playing together anymore. It becomes about sharing mutual thoughts and feelings. The stuff that bonds friends now isn't just common play but deeper, emotional connection.

Real-life Example: It's like when you start sharing secrets with your bestie, or when you have those deep late-night talks about life, dreams, and fears. You're not just playing with toys together anymore; you're sharing a part of yourselves.