Behavior
10-year-olds have an increasing ability to
function without adult supervision at school, on the
playground, at home, and in safe community locations. They
have learned most social rules and the need for rules.
Discuss with your child how he can begin to be responsible
for his behavior.
Parents play an important role in the life
of a 10-year-old. The parent of the same gender as the child
plays a particularly important role at this time. Despite
the attention given to popular culture heroes, role-modeling
by parents is very important.
10-year-olds particularly like doing chores.
They enjoy hearing from parents that they have done a chore
well. It is important for children to begin to think of
themselves as capable of accomplishing things. Ask your
health care provider for help if your child doesn't believe
he can do chores or other tasks.
Social skills
10-year-olds should be responsible for their
actions and expect responsible behavior from their friends
and peers. The opinions of friends are very important,
perhaps more important than their parent's opinions. Discuss
with your child how to make good choices in the company of
friends.
Projecting a positive self-esteem is very
important at this age. Your child should not always be
putting himself down. Ask your health care provider for
advice if your child consistently has a poor self-esteem.
Kids want to dress the way their friends
dress. This is important for your child and, within reason,
you should respect your child's choices. Similarly, your
child will want to speak with words that may be unique to
their peers, age group, or pop culture. Again, within
reason, this choice is to be respected.
Reading
Reading is very important for 10-year-olds.
Be sure to read at every opportunity with your child and
discuss the book. Let your child read and tell you stories
from books.
Television
and Electronic Media
Encourage your child to participate in
family games and other activities. Limit "screen time" (TV,
electronic games, computers) to no more than 1 or 2 hours
per day. Carefully select the programs you allow your child
to view. Be sure to watch and discuss some of the programs
with your child. Do not put a television in your child's
bedroom.
Your child should not be exposed to shows or
games with violent or sexual themes.
Sexuality
Parents and kids should discuss issues of
sexuality. You should occasionally ask your child if he has
any other questions about sex. When kids realize that
parents feel comfortable with discussing sex, they ask for
information more often. Discuss sexual values with your
child.
Safety Tips
Accidents are the number one cause of deaths
in children. Kids like to take risks at this age but are not
well prepared to judge the degree of those risks. Therefore,
10-year-olds still need supervision. Parents should model
safe choices.
Car Safety
- Everyone in a car must always wear
seat belts or be in an appropriate booster seat.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
- Children at this age will generally
cross streets safely. However, be sure that you practice
this skill when your child has a new street to cross.
- Make sure your child always uses a
bicycle helmet. You can set a good example by always
wearing a helmet.
- Your child is not ready for riding on
busy streets. Begin to teach your child about riding a
bicycle where cars are present.
- Don't buy a bicycle that is too big
for your child.
Safety Around Strangers
- Discuss safety outside the home with
your child.
- Make sure your child knows her address
and phone number and her parents' place(s) of work.
- Remind your child never to go anywhere
with a stranger.
Dental Care
Brushing teeth regularly after meals is
important. Brushing before bedtime is the most important
time of all. Make regular appointments for your child to see
the dentist.
Follow-Up
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that your child have a routine checkup every
year. Be sure to bring your child's shot records to every
annual visit.
