Tweens

Late childhood is characterized by significant growth is a child’s cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and sexual development. During this stage, children experience a growth in their frontal lobe, which improves logic, planning, and memory. On a social level, children form stronger and more complex friendships. Children may also have their first romantic relationship. They are also more likely to experience peer pressure. During this stage, children’s emotional intelligence expands as they are able to monitor their feelings, develop emotional self-awareness, are able to consider another’s perspective and resolve problems.

Sexual Development During Late Childhood
In addition to the drastic changes in the brain as well as the emotional and social changes children experience at this stage, children are also impacted with the onset of puberty during this time.

Physical Changes During Puberty
Physical changes that occur in both males and females include growing taller, gaining weight, developing acne, growing hair on their legs, underarms and pubic area, and an increase in sweating.
Specific Changes in Males. Males experience the broadening of their shoulders, body and facial hair growth, and their penis, scrotum, and testes will grow. During the onset of puberty, males will also experience ejaculation and nocturnal emissions (also known as wet dreams) as their sperm production begins. While erections start before puberty, during puberty males may experience more frequent erections , which sometimes occur unexpectedly. Additional changes that males experience include their voice cracking and becoming deeper. Males also may experience swelling under their nipples, which usually goes away by the end of puberty.
Specific Changes in Females. During puberty, females experience breast growth and may experience soreness under their nipples. Females will also experience a widening of their hips. Several months before the start of their period, females will have a clear or white discharge from the vagina leading to the start of their period.

Emotional Behavior During Puberty
The emotions that are brought on with puberty are a roller coaster for children (and their Caregivers) as the beginning of puberty is marked by mood swings. Romantic interests may form, as children may develop crushes on friends, older friends and even celebrities. During this time, children might start to question their sexual orientation, questioning if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual and/or +plus.

Social Changes During Puberty
Social changes for children during puberty include a desire for privacy. During this stage children are strongly influenced by their peers, but their parents still remain the main source of their values. Romantic relationships may flourish at this stage as children may be interested in dating.

Supports for Caregivers
It is crucial for Caregivers to provide ongoing information about the physical aspects of puberty and changes that occur in the body. Additionally, Caregivers can share information about the social and emotional aspects of puberty, helping to normalize the feelings their children might be experiencing.
With friendships and peer relationships at the center of a child’s focus during this developmental stage, Caregivers can provide support by providing education about healthy friendships and romantic relationships as well as encouraging your child to be a part of prosocial activities around same-age peers.
A Few Additional Supports for Menstruation
To better help prepare your daughter for their menstrual cycle, Caregivers can offer a few additional supports before they start their period. Caregivers can normalize menstruation and remind their daughter they can still continue participating in their normal activities during their period. Talk to your child about premenstrual symptoms, which could include cramping, bloating, headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. You and your child can discuss options for relief which may include using a hot water bottle, heating pad, providing your child with ibuprofen (with the Caregiver managing the medication), staying hydrated and exercising.
Discuss the different options of different sanitary products, which include pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary wipes. It is also important to talk about the importance of vaginal hygiene and changing pads, tampons and cups regularly. Have a supply of products ready for your child and help your daughter prepare by explaining how to use the different products. You and your child can also put together a hygiene pack, which includes clean underwear, pads, and wipes, that your child can store in their locker at school or in their backpack. Help your child learn how to keep track of their cycle by showing them how to track this in a calendar or diary.

Lally, M., Valentine-French, S. & Lang, D. (2021). Parenting and Family Diversity Issues. Retrieved from: https://iastate.pressbooks.pub/parentingfamilydiversity/chapter/middle-and-late-childhood/
CDC (2021) Child Development: Middle Childhood (9-11 years). Retrieved from:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/middle2.html
Alberta Health Services. (2019). Teaching Sexual Health. Retrieved from: https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/app/uploads/sites/3/AHS4586_Child_Workbook-2019July.pdf
Alberta Health Services (2019). Puberty and Sexual Development. Teaching Sexual Health. Retrieved from: https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/parents/information-by-topic/sexual-development/
Alberta Health Services (2019). Puberty and Sexual Development. Teaching Sexual Health. Retrieved from: https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/parents/information-by-topic/sexual-development/
Alberta Health Services (2019). Puberty and Sexual Development. Teaching Sexual Health. Retrieved from: https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/parents/information-by-topic/sexual-development/
Planned Parenthood of New York. (2017). Stages of Child Sexual Development. Retrieved from: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/80/f7/80f7ae70-4e3b-4e21-9c0a-482d44fd076f/handout_1_eng_child_sexual_development_-_copy.pdf

Planned Parenthood of New York. (2017). Stages of Child Sexual Development. Retrieved from: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/80/f7/80f7ae70-4e3b-4e21-9c0a-482d44fd076f/handout_1_eng_child_sexual_development_-_copy.pdf

Planned Parenthood of New York City (2017). Stages of Child Sexual Development. Retrieved from: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/80/f7/80f7ae70-4e3b-4e21-9c0a-482d44fd076f/handout_1_eng_child_sexual_development_-_copy.pdf