What cognitive functions improve during middle and late childhood?

During middle and late childhood, significant advancements occur in cognitive functions, particularly in areas such as working memory, attention span, and memory strategies. This period is characterized by children's ability to process information more efficiently and effectively.

Working memory refers to the capacity to hold and manipulate information temporarily, which is crucial for tasks such as problem-solving and following multi-step directions. As children grow, their working memory capacity expands, allowing them to handle more complex cognitive tasks. This development is influenced by their increasing knowledge base and experience.

Attention span also lengthens during this stage, enabling children to focus on tasks for more extended periods. With improved attention control, they can engage in sustained mental effort, which is fundamental for learning in school settings.

Memory strategies, such as rehearsal (repeating information to remember it) and organization (structuring information meaningfully), become more sophisticated as children learn to use various techniques to enhance their information retention and retrieval skills.

Together, these cognitive improvements contribute significantly to academic success and overall development during middle and late childhood, laying the groundwork for further cognitive growth in adolescence and beyond. The other options touch on aspects of development, but they do not encapsulate the specific cognitive advancements that occur during this crucial developmental period.