Child Development Guide: Ten to Eleven Years

Developmental Tasks

To develop a sense of accomplishment, which centers around the ability to learn and apply skills, deal with peers, competition, self-control, and greater strength.
To develop and test values and beliefs, which guide present and future behaviors.

Indicators Related to Developmental Lag

Excessive concerns about competition and performance, especially in school; extreme rebellion; teasing; headaches; nervous stomach; ulcers; nervous tics; consistent procrastination; overdependence on caregivers for age-appropriate tasks; social isolation; lack of friends and involvements; few interests; inappropriate relationships with "older" people, e.g., teenagers; stealing; pathological lying; bedwetting; fire-setting.

Note: Although these tasks and indicators may be present during ages 7 to 12, each may be more observable at specific times.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: Ten to Eleven Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Girls may have rapid weight increase.	Provide good nutrition.
Boys are more active and rough; motor skills are well-developed.	To fine tune manual skills, put in a basketball hoop and/or provide roller blades.

Physical Development for Nine to Ten Years	Physical Development for Eleven to Twelve Years
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INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT: Ten to Eleven Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Is alert, poised, and concerned with fads; argues logically.	Encourage/teach child to use logic in thinking and problem-solving. Is good time to discuss drug abuse.
May like to read.	Provide books geared to interests.
May begin to show talent. Has many interests of short duration.	Provide lessons in music, art, and other interests.

Intellectual Development for Nine to Ten Years	Intellectual Development for Eleven to Twelve Years
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Ten to Eleven Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Is affectionate with parents; has great pride in father; finds mother all-important.	Spend time with the child.
Is highly selective in friendships; may have one best friend; important to be "in" with the gang; may develop hero worship.	Accept child's need for, and choice of, friends and feeling of being "in".

Social Development for Nine to Ten Years	Social Development for Eleven to Twelve Years
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EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Ten to Eleven Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Is concerned with style.	Allow child to select clothes and hair style, within a firm budget.
Is casual and relaxed.	Enjoy!
Likes privacy.	Provide for personal space.
Girls mature faster than boys.	Provide reassurance as needed.
Not an angry age; anger, when it comes, is violent and immediate; seldom cries but may cry when angry.	Recognize and accept angry feelings, tears of temporary duration, and outbursts.
Main worry concerns school and peer relationships.	Provide opportunities for appropriate socialization.

Emotional Development for Nine to Ten Years	Emotional Development for Eleven to Twelve Years
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MORAL DEVELOPMENT: Ten to Eleven Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Has strong sense of justice and a strict moral code.	Recognize that the child's sense of justice is limited to own world. Accept rigidity and support the child's concerns about right and wrong. Don't belittle.
More concerned with what is wrong than what is right.	Acknowledge injustice.

Moral Development for Nine to Ten Years	Moral Development for Eleven to Twelve Years
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