According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the time between the ages of 6 and 8 mark your child transition into “middle childhood”. Your child should begin to feel more confident in being able to meet life’s challenges. This sense of personal power continues to develop from having successful experiences solving problems independently, being creative and seeing results from their effort.
Developmental milestones are things that most children can do at these ages. These are the middle childhood milestones according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Social and Emotional
Thinking & Learning
Positive Parenting Tips
Child Safety First
Healthy Bodies
Your child’s transition into the elementary school years is a major step in their development. They may begin to show more independence from you and other family members, and start to think about their future. Friendships and being accepted become much more important. Mental skills rapidly develop, you’ll notice as they begin to talk through their thoughts and feelings and show concern for others. This is a critical time to get involved with your child’s school, to meet the teachers and staff, understand their learning goals and how you can work together to help your child succeed.
What school to go to?
San Antonio has a variety of public, private and charter schools. It’s important know the public school district in which you live and the services are offered at your child’s school as well as the alternative options you may have.
First Day Preparation
Every year, a new first day of school can cause stress for both parents and kids. Being prepared can help make a new school year exciting and positive for everyone.
Tips for Parents
Helping your child get the most of their early elementary years is a high priority for most parents. These tips deal with areas like communicating with school staff, dealing with problems at school and addressing school discipline.
Videos – What Kids Can Expect in Each Grade
Here is a great set of videos that describe grade-level expectations in grades K-5 and shows what success looks like in reading, writing and math, grade by grade.
Life outside of school is a great opportunity for learning, solidifying what your kids learn in school and discovering new lessons. Success in school depends on learning happening outside of school, too.
Games for Kids and Parents
FunBrain.com
Games covering all interest areas and target specific age levels. There are “parent-kid challenges,” “homework relief,” and “books on the run” links. Also linked to this site, there is a family education newsletter that helps with school, life, entertainment, and special needs issues.
PBS for Parents
Educational guides, games and stories based on PBS programs. Download the bilingual PBS Parents Play & Learn APP
Reading Help
San Antonio Public Library
This is a great time when children becoming young readers. Check out a variety of activities, programming, and services for school-age children at your local library.
Scholastic for Parents
Provides appropriate guides for helping your child learn to love reading.
BiblioTech
Bexar County’s BiblioTech is the first all-digital public library in the US and has actively worked to bridge literacy and technology gaps in San Antonio and surrounding areas by establishing a community presence at the physical locations as well as an online presence through the digital collections and resources. Library membership is free to all Bexar County residents. Access to the digital collection is available 24/7.
Child Care Assistance from the City of San Antonio
The Child Care Services Program provides monetary help for child care to an average of 8,200 children per day through more than 750 local child care providers. Child care services are available for both full and part-time care for qualified families. More information >
Quality Childcare Guide
This downloadable brochure from the Child Care Services program has a list of steps to choosing the right care for your child, plus a checklist on what to look for when deciding whether that child care meets your quality standard. English | Español
Quality Childcare Provider List
This comprehensive list of Quality Child Care Providers in the San Antonio area from Workforce Solutions Alamo includes address, contact information and accreditations. View list >
Texas Workforce Commission: Texas Child Care Solutions
Developed by the Texas Workforce Commission, the purpose of Texas Child Care Solutions is so provide parents access to accurate and consistent information to assist them in making informed choices to meet their child care needs. Learn More >
Getting your child ready for a healthy life starts early. Healthy eating and physical activity habits are very important, and need support from the whole family.
Here are some resources to help your child have a healthy start to their school-age years. Poor health can cause kids to miss school, which takes away valuable learning time in their elementary years and impacts their education.
Speech, Language and Hearing
For more information about ensuring your child’s speech, language and hearing health, check out this helpful guide from the American Speech—Language-Hearing Association.
View Guide >
Dental Health
During the first three years of life, it is not to early to give your child the proper foundation for a healthy life and having good oral health is part of it.
If dental care is outside your family’s budget, the Metro Health Dental Program may be able to help. Learn More >
Sleep
When preschool children don’t get enough sleep, it can affect their mood, behavior, eating habits, and ability to focus during the day.
Vision Health
1 out of every 4 children struggle with reading and learning because of undiagnosed vision problems. Early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid future learning frustrations and setbacks.
Helpful Links
Why do elementary-age children need physical activity?
Today’s children are four times less active in their day-to-day lives than their grandparents were. Being active helps your child stay healthy, learn good habits early, gives them an outlet for natural energy, and keeps them from high risk of obesity and other health problems throughout life.
How much physical activity does my child need?
Physical activity can be playing actively, family fun such as hiking or swimming, and anything that gets your child moving!
How do we start?
Finding a Medical Home
Today, a child needs a home base for medical and non-medical care supported by a partnership between you, the parent or caregiver, your family, and your primary doctor or provider.
If you have insurance, it is likely you have already established a medical home with a personal doctor. If you have not yet enrolled in medical insurance for your family, this is an important step to secure the medical support your child needs for healthy development. Get help enrolling in San Antonio >
Well-Child Visits
Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. At this exam, the health care provider will check your child’s growth and development in order to find or prevent problems. Your child should have more pediatric well-child visits at these early ages when they are younger and developing the fastest, even if your child is healthy.
Immunizations
The use of vaccines has led to major improvements in child health over a relatively short period. Many of the infectious illnesses you or your parents had as children, from chickenpox to polio to measles, no longer affect most children today because of immunizations.
Students who have not completed immunizations will not be allowed to register for kindergarten.
Kids are going to fall, crash, slip and tumble. It’s all part of being a kid. But there are little things we can all do to ensure that kids avoid more serious injuries. Walking to school, riding a bike, playing outside and participating in risky activities such as climbing increase at this age. Making sure your child is supervised while swimming or playing near water is very important as well as keeping harmful household products, tools equipment and firearms away form children and talking with your child about asking for help when they need it.
Safety Information by Topic
Tips from top safety experts on everything you need to keep kids of any age safe from preventable injuries. View All >
Texas Safety Tips
The Department of Family and Protective Services provides information on child safety ranging from sleeping and water safety tips to how to report child abuse and neglect. View All >
How to make your house safe for kids
First Aid and Safety Guidelines
Local First Aid and CPR training
Child Car Safety
Providing healthy and nutritious meals is one of the most important things you can do to get your child to develop healthy eating habits for life. Parents and caregivers an also help make schools healthier by working with your child’s school to limit foods and drinks high in sugar, solid fat and salt.
What should my child be eating daily?
Healthy Recipes for the Whole Family
Your family eating habits have a major influence on your child’s eating habits.
Articles on Kids’ Nutrition
Your infant and toddler’s social and emotional development involves understanding their own feelings and behaviors as well as those of others, and applying this knowledge to interactions and relationships. Research has shown that those with high emotional intelligence have better attention skills and fewer learning problems, and are generally more successful in academic and workplace settings.
StopBullying.gov
Providing information from various government agencies on how kids, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. Learn More >
The KnowBullying app
A free app for parents to help prevent bullying, created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency (SAMHSA). Learn More >
Play is super important for young children to explore sense, creativity and the imagination while also building developmental skills like coordination.
Fun Activities for the Whole Family
Creating powerful and positive learning experiences for your child and your whole family does not need to be expensive. Here are some free or low cost activities to do with your child around San Antonio.
Free Activity Ideas
Family Events Calendars
