Why early emotional development matters — and how preventive wellbeing education helps children aged 7–10 thrive

New research in child development and neuroscience is making one thing clearer than ever:the years before age 10 shape how children understand their emotions, handle stress, build confidence, and relate to others.

A major 2025 study from the University of Cambridge found that the human brain develops in distinct “epochs,” with a major shift occurring around age 9. This confirms what parents see every day — the early and middle-childhood years are a critical window for emotional learning.

Here’s what that means for children aged 7–10, and why preventive wellbeing education (like Wellbeing Hacks) makes such a powerful difference.

1. Early years = brain wiring years

Before age 10, children are building the neural “wiring” that supports:

• emotional regulation

• empathy

• stress management

• self-control

• social skills

• early mental wellbeing

Warm relationships, daily interactions, responsive adults, and predictable routines all strengthen these pathways.Toxic stress, constant dysregulation, or lack of emotional support can make those pathways harder to form.

In simple terms, kids build the emotional tools they’ll rely on for life — long before adolescence begins.

2. Emotional regulation is learned — not automatic

Children don’t magically develop self-control at a certain age.They learn it through:

• co-regulation with adults

• story and play

• guided naming of feelings

• repeated practice of calming strategies

Research shows that early emotional learning programs improve long-term resilience, social functioning, and mental wellbeing.

In the 7–10 age group, kids are old enough to understand these tools but young enough that the brain is still wiring itself.That makes this stage ideal for teaching preventive wellbeing skills.

3. Development isn’t linear — but windows of opportunity matter

The Cambridge “brain epochs” research shows that development happens in big leaps, not slow steady growth.

One of those leaps happens right around ages 8–9.

This means:

• waiting until problems show up is too late for many kids

• early and middle childhood are prime years for mental health prevention

• teaching coping skills early makes them automatic later

Preventive wellbeing education gives children tools before anxiety, perfectionism, low confidence or stress become patterns.

4. How Wellbeing Hacks supports healthy development in ages 7–10

Wellbeing Hacks was designed to match how children in this age group learn best — through:

• story and relatable characters

• humour and simple metaphors

• gentle, structured repetition

• age-appropriate science

• tools kids can use at home and school

This isn’t therapy.It’s preventive emotional education during a crucial brain-development window.

The result?Stronger resilience, healthier friendships, better emotional regulation, improved confidence, and reduced anxiety.

Final Thought

A child’s brain isn’t fixed — it’s constantly being shaped by relationships, environment, and the tools we give them.

If we want children to grow into confident, emotionally capable, resilient young people, we don’t wait for problems to appear.

We start early.We teach gently.We build skills before they’re needed.

That is the promise of preventive wellbeing education.That is why Wellbeing Hacks was created — to give children aged 7–10 the tools that help them thrive now and protect their wellbeing later.

Check out the book now

With support

Lena