Children aged between 6 and 13 need more support for problems such as low self-esteem according to the charity Action for Children.

The middle years of childhood are seen as the most vulnerable and their emotional well-being at 10 years-old determines their mental health in mid-teens.

The charity believes too much emphasis is being placed by parents and the government on a child’s education and problems during teenage years while disregarding their needs in mid-youth.

A study conducted by the charity found 53% of the 165 vulnerable children they interviewed had temper control issues while 35% were bullied and 25% suffered with feelings of loneliness.

A further survey of 2,000 parents and adults was then commissioned to determine if these problems were common among families in Britain. Results found that 52% of parents said their children had temper control problems, 66% thought their child encountered bullying and 41% feelings of loneliness.

Children aged 6-13 go through transformations that see them assert their independence and spend less time with their family. They also go through physical changes and develop strong relationships with friends. It is also at this age that children encounter bullying and peer-pressure. They become exposed to smoking, drugs, alcohol, sex and crime. Advertising also aggressively targets this age group.

As children move from primary to secondary education, they can feel the loss of a supportive teacher or go through parental divorce. Aggressive behaviour in later years can often be traced back to these experiences.

Children of this age require support, particularly if they are vulnerable members of society. How their confidence and self-esteem develops during this time will reflect on their happiness in later life.

If you have concerns about your child’s emotional well-being, there are a number of natural communication therapies that can help.

Read our article on natural therapies for better communication here

Learn more about counselling here

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