Common Characteristics of Ten-Year-Olds

Ten-year-olds are generally happy and relaxed, enjoying themselves and their peers, parents, even siblings. Proud of all they have accomplished, they like to share their knowledge with others. Tens usually do well with group projects because they tend to be calm and naturally cooperative.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

v Good age for clubs, team sports, and whole-class activities

v Eager to reach out to others, such as through community service or tutoring younger children

v Boys and girls work well together

v Quick to anger and quick to forgive

v Competitive but also cooperative

v Listen well but also enjoy talking and explaining

v Enjoy adult recognition

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

v Very good at memorizing facts

v Enjoy collecting, organizing, and classifying

v Like rules and logic; open to learning about scientific principles, governmental structures, and meeting formats

v Can concentrate on reading and thinking for long periods

v Hardworking; take pride in school work

v Enjoy choral reading, poetry, plays, and singing

v Open to learning mediation or problem-solving skills

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

v Muscles for jumping, running, and other big movements are developing quickly

v Need lots of outdoor play and physical challenges

v Snacks and rest periods help rapidly growing bodies

v Better at small muscle movements; enjoy precision tasks such as tracing and copying

v Ready to start using tools such as compasses, rulers, and templates