As a parent and as an educator, I realized that the goal of school, especially the high school experience, is to develop skill sets that allows one to graduate and move on to the next phase in life. But what is that next phase? Whether learners go to college, a vocational program, the military or everything in between, they must be able to support themselves sufficiently. How will your child’s education help them become independent? 

6 – 12 years of age

In the early years of school, children are learning to follow instructions, deal with authority figures and comply with the rules.

Their ability to succeed in these tasks will be largely influenced by how effectively they were parented in early childhood.

Kids are beginning to understand the concept of time, have more logical reasoning and begin to use abstract thought, although that develops more fully later.

Erik Erikson believed that children this age compare their abilities to those of the same age, and seek validation of their abilities from adults to develop the virtue of competence.

This is a critical time in the development of self esteem, which is derived from doing a good job. It is very important that kids this age develop a sense of mastery and feel good about their abilities.

Parents and other adults can aid in this by offering positive reinforcement for a job well done, and using mistakes as teaching opportunities.