Directions:  Answer each of the following 3 prompts.  Make sure you answer all questions under the prompt you choose to receive full credit.  Answers should be insightful and use information from the text or other sources to back up your argument.  Make sure you cite your sources.  Each prompt should be a minimum of 250 words.

1.  Think about your friendships from ages 6 to 12.  Compile descriptions of these characteristics and discuss the similarities and differences in the nature of friendships over other periods of childhood (e.g., early school age and early adolescence).

Also, discuss what roles does the family play in the child’s relationship with peers during middle childhood?  How do parents foster or inhibit friendship for their children?  What are some important distinctions between the parent-child and peer relationships at that period of life?  Are friends at this point of your life more similar or different than your parents?

2.   Attend a competitive athletic team even involving children ages 6 to 12.  Take notes about the event, the roles of the adults, the quality of the child-child and child-adult interactions, and any behaviors that provide evidence of in-group and out-group activities or attitudes.  Please address the following questions:  What are your views about the role of team sports during middle childhood?  What do you see as the pros and cons of team participation?  What might be some long-term contributions of team sport participation for adult behavior in marriages and work groups?

3.   Interview a teacher of children ages 6 to 12.  Discuss the process of evaluation and its impact on self-evaluation and the child’s sense of self.  Also discuss the children’s motivation or willingness to work hard, and how they respond to different types of children.  Lastly, what does the teacher believe are the unique struggles for children ages 6 to 12 both in regards to the child’s development and the educational system.