5 Major Changes Between Ages 10 And 12
Between the ages of 10 and 12, children go from infancy to puberty. That is, they grow up and begin their path to adolescence, a complex path full of important changes, both cognitively and physically, socially and emotionally.
Do you want to know what are some of the changes that take place in this phase? Pay attention to what we’re going to tell you next.
5 important changes between 10 and 12 years old
1. Between the ages of 10 and 12, children change the way they relate to other children
During childhood, friends are important to play and have fun, but from the age of 10 onwards, relationships with peers become much more complex.
Between the ages of 10 and 12, children often exchange friends as they need to create a group they can trust, with which they can relate and share ideas, tastes and hobbies. In fact, at this age, the group of friends becomes a reference and an essential source of support, and the family takes a back seat.
2. Demand independence
By age 10, children are often autonomous enough to assume their responsibilities and duties related to home and school, albeit with some supervision from parents or teachers.
However, at 12 years of age, they feel older and demand more and more independence, that is, they want to make their own decisions and do things on their own, without feeling controlled by adults.
3. Undergo major bodily changes
Without a doubt, between 10 and 12 years of age is one of the developmental periods in which the most physical changes occur, as the bodies of the little ones are progressively transformed. They stop being boys and girls and become men and women.
In this sense, some of the most important changes that take place at this age are the following:
- The breast growth begins.
- The first menstruation occurs around the age of 12 years.
- The size of the testicles and penis increases.
- Changes in timbre and tone of voice occur .
- Pubic, facial and axillary hair appear .
- The skin becomes oilier.
- Sudden changes in weight, size and height occur.
- The sweat and body odor increases.
More changes between 10 and 12 years old
4. Build their own identity and personality
Another significant change that occurs between the ages of 10 and 12 is that children try to develop their own identity and personality and look for a style that defines them. To do this, they start a process of exploration and experimentation, so they try out various options depending on their tastes, hobbies, interests, experiences, thoughts, etc.
Furthermore, throughout this process, they engage in an exercise of internal reflection and constant review of their self-concept and, therefore, of their self-esteem.
5. Develop moral ability
Until the age of 10, most children do not ask themselves why they do their actions and generally follow the rules imposed by adults because they know they must obey them.
However, this changes at age 12, when children learn to reflect, discuss and negotiate the rules with others. In this way, they begin to comply with them because the agreement reached must be respected and not because it is dictated by the “authority”.
In addition, at this stage they develop the ability to assess the right or wrong of their behavior and consider its consequences.
Regarding the development of 10 and 12 year old children…
In summary, boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12 change a lot, especially physically and psychologically. All these changes are not easy to accept, so it is an extremely complicated development time.
Furthermore, it can also significantly affect mothers and fathers, who need to accept that they no longer have a child at home, but a small adult willing to build their own life.
