Now We Are Eight: Life in Middle Childhood

Abstract

“Extraordinary things emerge from following thousands of ordinary lives” – adapted from Helen Pearson (The Life Project) The Now We Are Eight Report continues the series of “Now We Are” reports, adding child-centred descriptive information about the cohort children’s wellbeing and development in middle childhood, in the context of their families, whānau and wider environments. For the fi rst time in this study, the analyses presented in this report include the voices and views of the cohort children themselves. At the eight year Data Collection Wave, the children had the opportunity to answer their own questionnaires and contribute direct information about their own sense of who they were, how they connected with their world and what was important to them in terms of their futures. The report highlights that children regularly experience change and fl ux in their own wellbeing status, as well as instability in the environments around them. The patterns of change over time are variable across population groups and the timing of exposure, as well as duration, often matters for shaping wellbeing in middle childhood. The collection of information from the children and their families continues to enable us to better understand why we see diff erential wellbeing for children growing up in diverse families, with diverse identities, cultures and backgrounds. We can use this information to explore how to better support all children and families in Aoteoroa New Zealand and ensure that strategies are context relevant and meet the needs of all children.