Children are the sons and daughters of God (Proverbs 13:31; Psalm 127:3-5). They are also the treasure of parents and the hope of the future. Whether they are the biological offspring of parents or adopted, they are God’s creation and the focus of our spiritual and moral lives (Romans 8:14).

The word “child” means different things to different people. In general, it refers to a person between birth and puberty. It can also be a person who has not reached the age of majority in a particular culture or community. Children are usually classified as unable to make serious decisions on their own, and must be under the supervision or care of adults, either by legal mandate or by family tradition.

When writing for children, it is important to put aside any preconceived notions of what it feels like to be that age and what they find interesting. You might have to spend some time with children, or at least read a lot of stories for them, before you feel comfortable identifying with a character’s age and experience. If possible, a writer could also seek out some personal experiences from their own childhoods, such as taking a summer job or attending a youth camp, so they can better understand what it is like to be that age.

As children grow, they develop interests and hobbies. They may have a favorite subject at school or a passion for something that they enjoy doing outside of school, such as sports, music, or video games. They might also start exploring new ways to spend their free time, such as socializing or reading. This is when they may be most likely to try out a “phase” and experiment with things such as dying their hair, dressing in gothic styles or being rebellious.

This is also when children begin to voice their opinions more often and express their independence. They might be more prone to throw tantrums or act out in anger, but it is important for them to learn how to control their emotions and behave responsibly.

Throughout their growing years, children are exposed to many different things that impact them emotionally, psychologically and physically. Some of these issues might be very distant from their everyday lives, such as world events or natural disasters, but children are still very much tuned into what is happening around them and are often more affected than adults.

Whether it is through television or videos, kids have access to a lot of information from the outside world that can be overwhelming. This is why it is vital to teach them about global issues at a young age, so they are not left feeling helpless and vulnerable in the face of a crisis. As well as ensuring they are informed about what is going on, it is important to signpost them to support services that can help them deal with their feelings, should the need arise. This is particularly important for children in the UK, where there are a number of support organisations that can help them through difficult times.