When raising children, there are many many approaches to everything. Before diving into any of these details, I think it is important to establish a foundation. That foundation is the fundamental truths that sit under all the "processes" of parenting.
One important foundation is this. Raise children to be adults, not children. Peers offer little to nothing towards this end. Peers (same age kids) actually hold maturity back. The goal is to gently bring the child forward in maturity by pulling them to act slightly older than their natural tendencies. Show them how to be adults, expect them to act as adults. Set the goal.
If the goal is set for them to act as children, with no expectation for maturing, then they do exactly that.... Grow into old children.
Children naturally want to emulate parents. Use that natural desire, encourage it. Show them how to be you. Reward behavior beyond their age. And limit exposure to children the same age or younger unless specifically as a teaching / serving opportunity.
Expect them to grow up and they will. Expect them to be children and they will. They will mature as much as required, no more, no less.
