Differences between Early Childhood and Late Childhood

There are significant differences between the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur throughout early childhood and those that occur during late childhood. The term “early childhood” is commonly used to describe the years 0-5 years old, whereas “late childhood” covers the years 6-12 years old.

Young children go through a period of fast physical development. In addition to developing gross motor abilities like crawling, walking, and running, infants also develop fine motor skills like grasping and manipulating things with increasing dexterity. Children’s cognitive growth is also notable at this age; they make strides in areas like language, memory, and problem-solving. Attachments to caregivers and early social development are hallmarks of the early years of life.

Later childhood, on the other hand, is characterized by slower rates of physical development. Normal growth in height and weight persists throughout childhood, but at a more moderate rate. In addition to a longer attention span and better memory, higher logical thinking and abstract reasoning characterize this stage of cognitive development.

In terms of social development, late childhood is a time when children begin to create more nuanced interactions with their peers and grow in confidence and self-awareness.

The rate and character of physical, cognitive, and social development are the most striking distinctions between the early and late stages of childhood. In contrast to the fast changes and developments that define early childhood, the changes and complexity of cognitive and social functioning that characterize late childhood are more gradual.