Middle years
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Research confirms that early adolescence, or the middle years (from nine to 14 years), is a critical stage in children's development; a period in which major changes occur at multiple levels of a child’s life.
It is also a time during which some children begin to engage in various risk-taking activities and when established symptoms of mental health disorders begin to emerge.
Reports
School and learning consultation - Technical report
Speaking out about school and learning - The views of WA children and young people on factors that support their engagement in school and learning
Speaking out about school and learning - Summary report
Report of the Inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Western Australia
Issues Papers
Middle years
Policy Briefs
Submissions
Submission to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, May 2008
Establishment of an Australian Youth Forum
More Information
Australian Child Wellbeing Project 2012 to 2015
Australia’s first major nationally representative and internationally comparable survey of wellbeing among children aged 8 to 14 years.
Events
Thinker in Residence 2014
International expert in child resilience Dr Michael Ungar visited Perth in 2014, offering new perspectives on a community-wide approach to building resilience in children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or who have complex needs.
Thinker in Residence 2013
Canadian early childhood expert, Dr Stuart Shanker, examined the function and application of self-regulation as a factor in improving the wellbeing of children and young people in Western Australia.
Middle Years Forums 2011 and 2012
In 2011 and 2012 the Commissioner hosted middle years’ forums with renowned interstate guest speakers and local child health and education advocates and practitioners. A selection of resources from the Forum are available.
