"children ages 6 to 18"?

[linhtho0211]

In my textbook, it says: His research found that children ages 6 to 18 contribute 12 percent of all household labor.
I think it must be "children aged 6 to 18" but it is my textbook and I don't know if it is still right.
Can you tell me what's right?

[Soup]

It could be elliptical, ... children [ranging in] ages ... .

[tedtmc]

children of ages 6 to 18
children aged 6 to 18

not a teacher

[linhtho0211]

So you mean that "children ages 6 to 18" is still correct?

[Soup]

So you mean that "children ages 6 to 18" is still correct?

Yes. It's perfectly good English.

[2006]

"children of ages 6 to 18" sounds better to me, just as 'people of middle age' does. But others may not agree.

[IvanV]

"children of ages 6 to 18" sounds better to me, just as 'people of middle age' does. But others may not agree.

It does indeed sound better, but omitting of will not harm the correctness.

I.

[tedtmc]

"children of ages 6 to 18" sounds better to me, just as 'people of middle age' does. But others may not agree.

I agree. But what's the idea of dropping the 'of' in the first place?
When do we use 'elliptical' and when do we not use it? Other examples?

not a teacher

[linhtho0211]

I agree. But what's the idea of dropping the 'of' in the first place?
When do we use 'elliptical' and when do we not use it? Other examples?

not a teacher

Yes, I am confused too. If it's elliptical, so why isn't it "children ages from 6 to 18"? And if it's elliptical, so could "children weights 20 to 40 kg" be correct?

[Soup]

Consider,

Ex: children between the ages (of) 6 and 18

Ex: children ages 6 to 18

See more examples here "children ages 6 to 18" - Google Search