You can anticipate many changes in children as they mature from elementary school students to preteens, from their physical characteristics to their preferred pastimes. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 start to value friendships and get more active in extracurricular activities like athletics and/or art.

To determine whether a kid is developing as predicted, doctors look at specific milestones. Some children acquire abilities earlier or later than others since there is a wide range of what is regarded as usual. Premature babies develop later and reach milestones later. Always discuss your child’s development with your doctor.

What is my child capable of doing between the ages of 6 and 12?

You will see your youngster develop brand-new, fascinating skills as they continue to grow.

Wellness and fitness 

Children this age need physical activity to build strength, coordination and confidence – and to lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. They also gain more control over how active they are. Children who enjoy sports and exercise tend to remain active throughout their lives. Staying fit can improve children’s school performance, boost self-esteem, prevent obesity and reduce the risk of serious diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease later in life.

What is “normal” physical growth for a 6-12-year-old child?

For 6 to 12-year-olds, there is still a wide range from “normal” in terms of height, weight and shape. Children tend to grow at a steady pace, growing about 6 to 7 centimetres each year. When it comes to weight, children gain about 4-7 pounds. (2–3 kg) per year until the onset of puberty.

This is also a time when children begin to develop feelings about how they look and how they are growing. Some girls may worry about being “too tall,” especially those who are developing early. Boys tend to be touchy when they are too small.

Try to teach your child that what matters is not “looking” a certain way, but being healthy. Children cannot change the genes that determine how tall they grow or when puberty begins. But they can reach their full potential by developing healthy eating habits and being physically active.

Your doctor will take measurements at regular check-ups and plot your child’s results on a standard growth chart to track them over time and compare them to other children of the same age and sex.

How can I support my child to grow?

Normal growth – aided by good nutrition, adequate sleep and regular exercise – is one of the best overall indicators of a child’s health. Your child’s growth pattern is largely determined by genetics.

If you push kids to eat more or get more vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients, they won’t grow taller which can lead to weight problems. Accepting children for who they are helping them build self-acceptance. Good mental health is important for healthy development, strong relationships, and resilience

How active should my 6-12-year-old be?

School-age children should have many opportunities to engage in a variety of activities, sports and games that suit their personality, ability, age and interests. Through physical activity, children learn about athleticism, goal setting, overcoming challenges, teamwork, and the value of practice.

Physical activity guidelines for school-age children recommend that they get at least 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. Additionally:

Most of the physical activity should be aerobic, where children use large muscles and keep going for a while.

Examples of aerobic activities are running, swimming and dancing.

School-age children typically have brief bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity alternating with light activity or rest throughout the day. Any moderate to vigorous activity counts towards the 60-minute goal.

Muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening physical activity should be included at least 3 days per week.

Children naturally build strong muscles and bones as they run, jump and play. Formal weight programs are not required. However, they are safe if properly designed and monitored.

Should my child play sports?

Consider your child’s age and developmental level, natural abilities, and interests. Children aged 6 to 8 sharpen basic physical skills such as jumping, throwing, kicking and catching. Some like to do this in organized sports teams, but non-competitive leagues are best for younger kids. Children aged 9 to 12 refine, improve and coordinate their skills. Some become even more involved in a sport, while others drop out as the competition heats up and the level of play improves. Regardless of age or activity, it’s important to show your support by coaching your child’s team or cheering from the stands on match days.

It's okay If a child isn’t interested in traditional sports, but it’s important to find alternative ways to be active. Brainstorm activities with your kids that feel right to them. Encourage a child who doesn’t like soccer, basketball, or other team sports to explore other active options like karate, fencing, golf, biking, skateboarding, and tennis. Most kids don’t mind physical activity as long as they have fun.