What becomes more important in middle childhood in terms of social relationships?

In middle childhood, developing friendships and achieving peer acceptance become increasingly significant as children begin to establish their social identities and networks outside the family environment. During this stage, which typically spans ages 6 to 12, children start to prioritize their relationships with peers; they actively seek out friendships and value acceptance within their social groups. This shift marks a critical developmental phase where social skills, sharing, cooperation, and conflict resolution come into play.

Friendships provide important emotional support and contribute to a child's self-esteem and social competence. As children engage in more complex social interactions, they learn about empathy, communication, and forming lasting bonds, which are foundational skills for navigating social environments in adolescence and adulthood. While family connections, academic performance, and sports skills are also relevant during this stage, the formation and quality of peer relationships are particularly central to a child's development during middle childhood.