Development 9-13 Years: Social Life
Adolescent already?
Many parents expect the teenage years to be difficult
but find that the challenges often begin earlier. It isn't really surprising.
For both sexes, hormonal changes usually start before they enter their
teens.
Temper, temper
Hormonal changes can lead to moodiness
and emotional outbursts. However, don't assume this is always going to
be the case. Children are all individuals and some sail through adolescence
with few problems. You may not be so lucky but don't anticipate trouble,
and meet it halfway.
Outward bound
Your child is beginning the move away
from you towards his peers. Taken out of the emotional security provided
by family, he's subject to all the whims of his peers, including potential
rejection. Your pre-teen may also be becoming interested in the opposite
sex, although he is likely to be too shy to do anything about it. This
increased vulnerability can leave your child feeling hypersensitive.
Do you wanna be in my gang?
He is becoming less concerned about your
approval and turns instead to his friends. He sees security in group-acceptance
and follows peer group dress and behaviour codes. Having the same 'labels',
collecting the same items and playing the same computer games is very
important.
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