How do physical characteristics change during middle and late childhood?

The development characteristics of children during middle and late childhood typically reflect a phase where growth progresses at a steady pace rather than through rapid spurts. During this period, usually defined as ages 6 to 12, children experience a more uniform growth pattern that allows for gradual increases in height and weight, demonstrating a consistent and predictable development trajectory.

This consistent growth is accompanied by improvements in physical coordination, strength, and overall motor skills as children engage in various activities and sports. Such changes are in contrast to the more erratic growth patterns seen in earlier development stages, like infancy or early childhood, where children grow in bursts.

The other options highlight features that typically don’t align with the development trends of middle and late childhood, such as growth being rapid and uneven, which is characteristic of earlier development phases. Similarly, while body composition does change with a gradual increase in body fat during these years, it doesn't overshadow the overarching trend of consistent growth during the stage. Additionally, heads becoming disproportionately large is also not reflective of the changes seen during this period, as head growth usually stabilizes in relation to body growth at this stage.