Elementary children are driven to understand social rules and they have strong sense of justice. At this age, they are developing their moral code, learning to think more abstractly, and mastering more complex social skills. Elementary children are driven by the question, “Why?” They want to understand the world around them, and are developing their own personalities and ways of thinking.

Important skill development during this stage includes:

• Internalizing values and morals

• Learning to collaborate with others

• Experimenting and researching their own interests

• Engagement with peers

• Time management

• Prioritization of tasks

• Independent problem solving

• Understanding friendship

• Decision making

• Abstract thinking, imaginative/creative thinking