The 9 Year Change in Children

The nine year change is an important developmental time in a child's life and can occur anywhere from 8 to 10 years old. It is based on the work of Waldorf school founder Rudolf Steiner. It is a time when they realize for the first time that they are separate, that bad things happen, that they may die or loved ones may. It is a time to talk to your child and tell them to please communicate any fear they have and you will help them work through it. Eventually, you and your child will develop a new toolbox to deal with the empathic responses your child is experiencing by living in a world dominated by separation, duality, us against them and impermanence. Ultimately they will learn how to navigate and better to do it while young.

I love this article called Paradise Lost. https://www.waldorflibrary.org/articles/1384-paradise-lost-the-nine-year-change

My son’s Jake and Giles explain their experiences during the 9 Year Change - see videos below.

The "nine-year change" is a critical developmental phase for children, occurring between ages 8 and 10, when they begin to understand their separateness and the concepts of mortality and impermanence. During this time, it’s important for parents to engage with their child, addressing fears and helping them navigate a world of duality and separation. The blog also references an article called "Paradise Lost" and includes videos where the author's sons share their personal experiences with the nine-year change.