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Age-by-Age Insights
School Age: Ages 6-11
What Kids Experience
Between the ages of 6 and 11, children begin to relate to the world and their bodies in new ways. As they move from being concrete thinkers to being more reflective, they start to understand that over time they will get better. However, they still experience pain with great intensity.
By the age of 7, kids begin to understand what may have caused their illness and also what will help them get well. They use both logical and magical thinking and may fantasize about the origin of an illness or injury. Older kids can understand multiple causes and effects, as well as their contexts.
However, despite their better verbal and reasoning skills, some children will still have a different understanding from adults of what words mean. Modesty also becomes an issue for many kids. School-age children may giggle or be slightly embarrassed when going to the doctor, although they do become less fearful.
School- or family-related stress can sometimes bring on psychosomatic symptoms in a school-age kid. These complaints are often caused by anxiety, and kids may try to use them to avoid school or other responsibilities. Be aware that these symptoms do feel real to a child. They should be acknowledged (instead of denied) even if they are not indulged.
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