Middle children generally show more investment in control over external reality through the acquisition of knowledge and competence: where they do have worries, these may be more a fear of kidnappings, rapes, and scary media events, as opposed to fantasy things (e.g., witches, monsters, ghosts). Preadolescents may well view human relationships differently (e.g. they may notice the flawed, human side of authority figures). Alongside that, they may begin to develop a sense of self-identity, and to have increased feelings of independence: may feel an individual, no longer "just one of the family." A different view on morality can emerge; and the middle child will also show more cooperativeness. The ability to balance ones own needs with those of others in group activities. Many preadolescents will often start to question their home life and surroundings around this time and they may also start to form opinions that may differ from their upbringing in regards to issues such as politics, religion, sexuality, and gender roles. Greater responsibility within the family can also appear, as middle children become responsible for younger siblings and relatives, as with babysitting; while preadolescents may start caring about what they look like and what they are wearing. Prior to adolescence, children may have a dependence on their family as their main agent of socialization. This helps the child establish their attitudes, viewpoints, social norms, and societal roles.Among these changes is the shift from elementary to middle (or junior high) school.
Psychological and social development
Of the two major socializing agents in childrens lives: the family environment...and formal educational institutions, it is the family in its function a primary socializer of the child that predominates in the first five years of life: middle childhood by contrast is characterized by a childs readiness for school...being self-assured and interested; knowing what kind of behavior is expected...being able to wait, to follow directions, and getting along with other children.Preadolescent children have a different view of the world from younger children in many significant ways. Typically, theirs is a more realistic view of life than the intense, fantasy-oriented world of earliest childhood. Preadolescents have more mature, sensible, realistic thoughts and actions: the most "sensible" stage of development...the child is a much less emotional being now. They will often have developed a sense of  intentionality. The wish and capacity to have an impact, and to act upon that with persistence; and will have a more developed sense of looking into the future and seeing effects of their actions (as opposed to early childhood where children often do not worry about their future). This can include more realistic job expectations ("I want to be an engineer when I grow up", as opposed to "I want to be a wizard").