Common Characteristics of Eleven-Year-Olds

Elevens are going through huge changes in their bodies, minds, and social behavior as they begin adolescence. The easy friendliness of ten often gives way to awkward, sometimes rude behavior at eleven. With their growing capacity for higher thinking, children this age like to try work that feels grown up, such as researching and interviewing.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

v Moody, self-absorbed

v Easily embarrassed; need to “save face” in front of peers

v Sensitive about their changing bodies

v Need lots of time to talk with peers

v Common age for girls to form cliques

v Worry about who’s “in” and who’s “out”

v Like to challenge rules, argue, and test limits

v Need adult empathy, humor, and light attitude to help them take things less seriously

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

v Can think abstractly-for example, more able to understand ideas such as “justice”

v Beginning to challenge adult explanations and their own assumptions

v Would rather learn new skills than review or improve previous work

v Enjoy using their developing thinking skills to do brain teasers and puzzles

v Like “adult” tasks (researching, interviewing, footnoting, etc.) and “adult” studies (history, biography), though may outwardly fuss while secretly enjoying the work

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

v Restless and very energetic

v Need lots of food, physical activity, and sleep

v Growth spurt for many girls; some begin menstruating

v “Growing pains” (bone outgrowing muscle) may cause nightly aches and daily complaints

v More colds, ear infections, flu, etc.