Eleven Years

Development

Physical
  • May experience pubescent growth spurt if female (usually a year or two for males) 
  • May tire easily and appear lazy (growth spurt drains energy) 
  • May look out of proportion 
  • Is preoccupied with and self-conscious about appearance 
  • May have an appetite that fluctuates sharply 
  • Enjoys observing or participating in competitive sports 
  • Is keenly interested in learning about body changes 
  • May continue to be curious about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
Emotional
  • May be experiencing sudden dramatic emotional changes associated with puberty 
  • Vacillates between maturity one moment, immaturity the next 
  • Tends to conceal emotional feelings 
  • Is hard on self and ultra-sensitive to criticism
Social
  • Wants parental assistance, but may resist when offered 
  • Is critical of parents 
  • Is concerned with prestige and popularity 
  • Likes to belong to a group and be like others 
  • Becomes quite faddish 
  • Spends about twice as much time on weekends with friends as with parents 
  • May drift from previous best friend (due to different levels of maturity) 
  • Is acutely aware of the opposite sex
Mental
  • Has an increasing attention and concentration span 
  • Strives to succeed 
  • Has strong opinions 
  • Begins to understand the motives behind the behavior of another

Parenting

  • Continue to read to your child every night 
  • Encourage your child to read independently, as well 
  • Limit the amount and monitor the quality of television 
  • Provide a quiet, well-lit place for homework 
  • Be available for supervision 
  • Continue to encourage and support outside group activity (soccer team, dance class, Girl Scouts, church group, etc.) 
  • Get to know your child’s friends and their parents 
  • Provide supervision for your child after school. This is the best protection against future problems.