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Middle Childhood Profile
Marissa C. Boatmyn
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-420: Human Development
Laura Fite
February 5, 2023
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Middle Childhood Profile
Case Scenario: Nora
A hurricane has struck Florida, causing structural damage to homes, buildings, and
stores. As a result, many people, including Nora and her family, have had to flee their homes to
seek shelter or housing elsewhere. Nora and her family now reside in a three-bedroom home in
a new city and are unsure when, or if, they will be able to go back home; Nora’s parents did
not have hurricane insurance and are experiencing financial difficulties, unsure if they will be
able to afford the construction costs to fix their Florida home. The uncertainty of Nora’s
family’s ability to go home leaves a high possibility of Nora enrolling in an entirely new
school district if the family cannot move back within two weeks.
Introduction
Nora is in her middle childhood, which occurs between the ages of six and 12. During
this stage, children learn logical reasoning, increase their memory and emotional development,
improve their reaction time, grow physically, and learn about self-esteem (Paris et al., 2019).
However, when a middle-aged child experiences the impacts of trauma, such as through a
natural disaster, these milestones can be inhibited. This essay will review the definition of
trauma and its impact on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development that Nora
may experience. This essay will also discuss ways that the impact of trauma can be reduced in
middle-aged children.
What is Trauma?
In its most generic definition, trauma is a severe bodily or mental injury. However, the
meaning becomes more complex concerning mental health. According to the American
Psychological Association (n.d.), mental health trauma is a significantly disruptive experience
Middle Childhood Profile
Marissa C. Boatmyn
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-420: Human Development
Laura Fite
February 5, 2023
, 2
Middle Childhood Profile
Case Scenario: Nora
A hurricane has struck Florida, causing structural damage to homes, buildings, and
stores. As a result, many people, including Nora and her family, have had to flee their homes to
seek shelter or housing elsewhere. Nora and her family now reside in a three-bedroom home in
a new city and are unsure when, or if, they will be able to go back home; Nora’s parents did
not have hurricane insurance and are experiencing financial difficulties, unsure if they will be
able to afford the construction costs to fix their Florida home. The uncertainty of Nora’s
family’s ability to go home leaves a high possibility of Nora enrolling in an entirely new
school district if the family cannot move back within two weeks.
Introduction
Nora is in her middle childhood, which occurs between the ages of six and 12. During
this stage, children learn logical reasoning, increase their memory and emotional development,
improve their reaction time, grow physically, and learn about self-esteem (Paris et al., 2019).
However, when a middle-aged child experiences the impacts of trauma, such as through a
natural disaster, these milestones can be inhibited. This essay will review the definition of
trauma and its impact on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development that Nora
may experience. This essay will also discuss ways that the impact of trauma can be reduced in
middle-aged children.
What is Trauma?
In its most generic definition, trauma is a severe bodily or mental injury. However, the
meaning becomes more complex concerning mental health. According to the American
Psychological Association (n.d.), mental health trauma is a significantly disruptive experience
