What psychosexual stage occurs during elementary school ages according to Freud?

During the elementary school ages, Freud identifies the latency stage as the psychosexual stage that predominates. This stage typically occurs from about six years old to puberty and is characterized by a period of relative calm in terms of sexual feelings and a focus on developing skills and relationships with peers.

During the latency stage, children are not primarily focused on sexual exploration; instead, they channel their energies into schoolwork, friendships, hobbies, and forming same-gender peer relationships. This phase is crucial for the development of social and cognitive skills as children learn to collaborate, compete, and establish a sense of self-esteem outside of familial contexts.

Freud emphasized that the latency stage is when sexual feelings are repressed, allowing children to focus on social and intellectual growth, thus laying the foundation for future relationships and personal development. The fact that this stage occurs after the phallic stage and prior to the genital stage situates it specifically within the elementary school timeframe, confirming its relevance in early childhood development.