In children the period between 6 and 13 years is much calm. The physical development is also more regular. It seems as if the energies of the child are more and more utilized for learning and progressing specially in the intellectual and social fields.
The period in between 6 and 10-11 years is called latency period because the strength of the instincts seems to calm down, giving the child the possibility of a less turbulent affective development. The latency period is followed by pre-adolescence.
Some interesting differences appear in this age. For example the beginning of a certain antagonism between the two sexes and the development of different values, models and interests. It is common to see, usually from the age 8-9 years onwards, that children show dis like for playing with children of the other sex. Generally this attitude of antagonism is prominent in the boy and seems to be an expression of the need for stabilizing the identification of his sex by stressing the importance of his sex, considered as superior to the other.
It is an attitude per se important as an index of maturation. Its causes could be found in the differences of physical and intellectual growth more and more evident in the two sexes while approaching adolescence.
On the other hand we must not forget the influence of the social environment, still largely if not completely based on the male dominance in family and public life.
