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Why are the middle years a priority?

In Australia the middle years of childhood (9-14 years) have been under-explored and under- represented in policy and service provision. In 2009 the NSW Parliamentary Committee on Children and Young People undertook an inquiry which identified service and policy gaps for children of this age.

With increasing awareness of the science it is now understood that the middle years of childhood are a critically significant developmental period in a person’s life and there is growing interest at both a national and state level to understand how governments and the wider community can support better outcomes for children aged 9-14 years.

What is the Commission doing?

• The Commission is working with government and non-government stakeholders to build and progress a reform agenda for children aged 9–14 years in NSW.
• During 2011 the Commission worked with other government agencies to gain a better understanding of current and future government initiatives that support children aged 9–14 years in NSW. The Commission also hosted a series of seminars to build the knowledge base of the physical, social and emotional development of children in their middle years.
• In April 2012 the Commission will be holding a Roundtable on the Middle Years of Childhood with non-government organisations to share developments and explore future directions and opportunities for collaboration.
• The Commission will establish an Advisory Panel with expertise on middle childhood to advise, support and champion the reform agenda.
• The Commission will work in partnership with others to gain a better understanding of how children spend their time outside of school. The Commission’s 2012 Young People Advisory Group will undertake a research project exploring how children aged 9–14 years spend their time outside of school.

How can you be involved?

Learn more about the developmental stages of the middle years by watching the Commission’s Middle Years of Childhood Seminar Series webcast at www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/advocacyresearch.

Tell us about your work relating to the middle years by emailing us at middleyears@kids.nsw.gov.au.

Join the Middle Years Network to keep informed of progress in this area by sending your details to middleyears@kids.nsw.gov.au.

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