Your 10-Year-Old Child
At around age 10 there begins to be a real difference in the development of boys and girls. Some of this difference is the different time of entry into puberty and its associated growth spurt. Puberty is the entire process of changes affecting the body and its hormones that accompany sexual maturation. In general, puberty usually starts for girls between the ages of 9 and 11, and for most boys between the ages of 9½ and 13, although the exact age at which puberty starts varies widely among individuals.
Kids this age are fun. They tend to be energetic and spirited. They are naturally curious – especially about their own bodies and how they work. They are eager to learn and master new skills and are proud of doing things. Let them know often how proud you are of them too!
Most children by age ten:
- Have growth patterns related to gender. Girls are usually taller and weigh more than boys. Signs of early puberty may develop in girls, such as breast buds.
- Have developed control of their large and small muscles but, they can still be quite clumsy – like puppies with too big feet!
- They are able to enjoy activities that use these skills, such as basketball, dancing, and soccer. They naturally like to be physically fit and active. This is something to celebrate and encourage!
- Continue to advance their fine motor skills, such as developing clearer handwriting and creating detailed artwork.
- Know the complete date (day of the week, day of the month, month, and year).
- Can name the months of the year in order.
- Enjoy reading; they may seek out magazines and books on subjects of special interest.
- Enjoy being with their friends; they often have a stable “best” friend of the same gender and will confide constantly in this best friend.
- Can be fickle and need help understanding how painful this fickleness is for friends they may want to leave behind. They may need your help recovering when a cherished friend seems to find someone new.
- Continue to insist they are not interested in romantic connections. However, they may show off, tease, or act silly as a way of getting attention or interacting with them.
- Give in to peer pressure more readily because they do not want to appear different from the crowd.
- Like and listen to their parents. However, some children will start to show irritation with or lack of respect for adults in charge.
- Can converse easily with people of all different ages with speech patterns that are nearly at an adult level. But, don’t be surprised if they still enjoy bathroom humor!
Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. However, each child grows and gains skills at her own pace. Some may be advanced in one area, such as language, but slower in another, such as motor development. Enjoy watching your child learn and develop, but try not to worry too much. They are their own person with unique strengths and challenges. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician at your next well-check, make a video or telephone appointment, or send an email with your questions.
About the Author
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