5 Important Changes Between The Ages Of 10 And 12

Between the ages of 10 and 12, children go from childhood to puberty. That is, they grow up and begin to move toward adolescence. It is a complex path on both a cognitive, physical, social and emotional level.

Want to know about the changes that are taking place at these ages? We will tell you about them in this article!

5 important changes between the ages of 10 and 12

1. Children change the way they relate to their peers

During childhood, friends are important for play and fun. From the age of 10, however, the relationship with peers will become much more complex.

Between the ages of 10 and 12, children often replace their friends as they need to create a group they can trust. They need to find people they can identify with and people they can share thoughts, tastes and hobbies with. In fact, children’s friends at this age become a point of reference for them and a source of essential support. The family can sometimes get second place.

2. Children between the ages of 10 and 12 demand independence

By the age of 10, children are generally autonomous enough to perform duties and tasks related to home and school. However, they still need some supervision from parents or teachers.

When they reach the age of 12, children feel more adult and they demand more and more independence. That means they want to make their own decisions and do things on their own without feeling controlled by adults.

3. They experience great bodily changes

Without a doubt  , the period between the ages of 10 and 12 is a time of great physical change and development. Their bodies are gradually being transformed from being boys and girls to being men and women.

In this context, some of the most prominent changes taking place at this age are the following:

• A girl’s breasts will start to grow
• The first menstruation can occur,  most often around the age of 12 years
• The size of boys’ testicles and penis increases
• There are  changes in the timbre and voice
• Pubic hair, facial hair and hair under the arms begin to break out
• The skin becomes more oily
• There are  sudden changes in weight, size and height
• Sweating and body odor increase

4. They begin to build their own identity and personality

Another notable change that occurs between the ages of 10 and 12 is that children are trying to develop their own personality and they are looking for a style that defines them. To do this, they begin a process of exploration and experimentation. They try several options that depend on their tastes, hobbies, interests, experience, thoughts, etc. 

Furthermore, through this process, they begin to make inner reflections and constant revisions of their self-concept and thus of their self-esteem.

5. They develop a moral capacity

Until the age of 10, most children do not reflect on why they do the things they do. In general, they follow the rules imposed by their parents because they accept that they have to obey them.

All of this, however, changes around the age of 12 years. Children begin to learn to reflect, discuss, and negotiate rules with others. In doing so, they are complying with them because the agreement reached must be respected and not just because it is dictated by some “authority”.

Furthermore, during this time, they begin to develop the ability to assess the good or bad aspects of their behavior. They also develop the ability to take into account the consequences of their behavior.

A summary of the development of children between the ages of 10 and 12

In short, boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12 change a lot, especially physically and mentally. All of these changes are not easy to accept, and  it can be an extremely complicated period of change. 

Furthermore, it can also significantly affect mothers and fathers who suddenly have to accept that they no longer have a child at home, but rather a small adult who wants to start building their own life and identity.