What’s going on right now
Six is a big transition year. Baby teeth start falling out, reading really takes off, and school becomes a much bigger part of daily life. Your child is thinking more independently now and starting to compare themselves to classmates, which is normal but worth keeping an eye on if it turns into hard feelings about not measuring up.
Homework routines usually start around now too. Keeping them short, consistent and low drama goes a long way toward making them a habit rather than a fight.
Milestones you may see
- Reading simple words and short sentences
- Riding a bike, possibly still with training wheels
- Tying shoes, for many kids
- Understanding fairness and rules well enough to call out when something feels unfair
- Managing a simple homework or chore routine with reminders
Everyday care
School age kids generally need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep a night, and it’s worth protecting that even as after school activities pick up. This is a good age to set a family media plan together rather than just handing down rules, since six year olds can actually take part in that conversation.
Keeping your child safe
Most six year olds still need a belt positioning booster seat. The AAP’s guidance is to stay in a booster until the vehicle seat belt fits properly on its own, which usually means the lap belt sits low across the thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the chest, not the neck. For most kids that’s somewhere between four feet nine inches tall and eight to twelve years old, so don’t rush this one. If your child is starting to use the internet or a tablet independently, now’s the time for simple, clear online safety rules, and a bike helmet is non negotiable.