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Cognitive and educational development:10-12 years

Development 10-12 years

frequently asked questions from parents

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My child seems to have difficulty concentrating on his homework. What can I do to help him develop his concentration?

Concentration can be enhanced by creating an environment conducive to studying, eliminating distractions, establishing a regular study routine, and encouraging short breaks to maintain productivity.

How can I stimulate my child's interest in reading?

Encourage reading by providing a variety of books tailored to interests, reading together as a family, visiting a local library regularly, and setting an example by reading yourself.

My child is having difficulty in mathematics. How can I support him academically without creating stress?

To help with math, offer math activities

fun, use online resources, consider classes

support if needed, and make sure he feels supported and capable

to learn, rather than stressed.

Cognitive and educational development

10-12 years

(analysis and reasoning)

The cognitive and educational development of children aged 10 to 12 is a time of exciting transformations and unique challenges. At this age, children are no longer little children, but not yet adolescents. They begin to develop a more complex understanding of the world around them and their own identity. For parents, recognizing and supporting these changes is essential to help their children successfully navigate this crucial phase.

Dear parents, your role during this period is crucial. Your support, understanding and guidance can make a difference.

significant difference in how your children handle the cognitive and emotional challenges of this age group. Encourage them

curiosity, support their independence, and be there to guide them through challenges and successes.

frequently asked questions from parents

My child spends a lot of time on screens. How can I manage screen time in a balanced way?

Establish screen time limits, encourage outdoor and family activities, and involve him in creating rules for screen use.

Use educational apps and games that stimulate critical thinking and creativity, turning screen time into a learning opportunity.

Is my child showing signs of school-related stress? How can I help him manage academic stress?

Encourage open communication to understand sources of stress, consider relaxation techniques like breathing

deep, and make sure it has a balance between work and relaxation.

Get involved in his education, meeting with teachers to discuss academic concerns, and showing interest in his accomplishments.

Is my child overloaded with homework? How can I promote a healthy balance between schoolwork and leisure?

Establish a work routine that allocates time for homework,

but also for leisure, extracurricular activities and time in

family.

Encourage communication with teachers to understand the

workload and, if necessary, address the issue of overload

homework with school.

It's Normal If Your Child...

Fluctuations in Interests: It's normal for children at this age to move from one interest to another. They may be passionate about a topic for a while, then move on to something completely different.

Loss of Interest in School: At this age, some children may seem less enthusiastic about going to school. This may be due to changes in social dynamics or

academic.

Changes in Sleep Habits: Tweens often have different sleep cycles, which can cause them to stay up later at night.

Intense and Variable Emotions: Tweens may go through mood swings and intense emotions due to the hormonal changes and emotional challenges of this age.

Doubts about Self-Esteem: Some children may begin to question their self-worth and their place in the world, which can cause moments of uncertainty.

Resistance to Authority: It is common to see some resistance to authority at this age, as children seek to assert their independence.

Social Experimentation: Tweens can experiment with new friendships, sometimes moving away from old friends to discover new ones.

Sexual Curiosity: Children at this age may begin to ask questions about sexuality, which is a normal part of their cognitive development.

Desire for Privacy: Tweens may want to keep certain aspects of their private lives and thoughts to themselves, which is a developmental stage.

Identity Development: They can begin to explore their personal identity, including issues of gender and cultural identity.

It is important for parents to remain open to communication with their children and support them during this period of

changes and discoveries.

What happens at this age?

Abstract Thought:

Children begin to think abstractly and hypothetically. They can consider future possibilities and understand more complex concepts.

Examples:Understand advanced mathematics, debate current issues, show interest in ideologies and beliefs.

Emotional Development and Empathy:

They develop a better understanding of their emotions and those of others, leading to deeper empathy.

Examples:Ability to comfort friends, express their own emotions in a more nuanced way, understand different perspectives

Social Skills:

Improved social skills, increased importance of friendships and social status.

Examples:Formations of groups of close friends, conflict resolution, group activities.

Independence and Personal Identity:

Striving for independence and developing a distinct personal identity.

Examples:Choosing their own clothes, developing their own opinions, selecting their hobbies and interests.

Intellectual Curiosity and Academic Skills:

Increased intellectual curiosity and improved academic skills.

Examples:Interest in specific subjects, such as science or history, participation in school clubs, engagement in research projects.

Moral Development:

More nuanced understanding of good and evil, right and wrong.

Examples:Participation in discussions about ethics, demonstration of justice in games and social interactions.

Physical Skills and Coordination:

Continuous improvement in physical skills and coordination.

Examples:Participation in team sports, interest in complex physical activities such as dancing or cycling.

Your contribution as a parent

As a parent, our contribution to the cognitive and educational development of our child aged 10 to 12 consists of encouraging their curiosity, actively participating in their education by reading and discussing with them, and maintaining a balance between the use of screens and physical activities to promote balanced development.

What to do

at this age (10-12 years old)

Promote Reading: Encourage reading by

providing access to books appropriate to their ages and interests. For example, sign them up at a local library and read together.

Stimulate Curiosity: Answer their questions enthusiastically and encourage their curiosity by exploring topics that interest them, whether it's astronomy, history or science.

Encourage Autonomy: Give them

responsibilities such as managing their schedule and homework, which reinforces their autonomy and sense of responsibility.

Supporting Creativity: Give them time for creative activities like drawing, music or writing, which stimulates their creativity and self-expression.

Promote Problem Solving: Encourage them to solve problems on their own, whether conflicts between friends or academic challenges, by guiding them rather than giving them ready-made answers.

Practice Active Learning: Favor

active learning by asking open-ended questions that encourage them to think and discuss. For example, ask them to debate a current topic.

Promote Time Management: Help them develop time management skills by creating schedules and prioritizing tasks, which prepares them for organizing their school work.

What not to do

at this age (10-12 years old)

Don't Overload: Avoid overloading their schedule with too many extracurricular activities, which can leave them stressed and exhausted.

Do Not Compare: Avoid comparing them to other children in terms of academic performance. Each child develops at their own pace.

Don't Ignore Emotions: Do not minimize their emotions or ignore them. Take the time to listen and validate their feelings, even if they seem out of proportion.

Don't Impose: Do not force them to follow

activities or interests that they are not passionate about. Let them explore and discover their own passions.

Don't Punish for Mistakes: Avoid harsh punishment for academic errors. Encourage them to see mistakes as learning opportunities.

Don't Ignore Technology: Don’t overlook the importance of digital education. Supervise their use of technology to make it a learning tool.

Don't Neglect Sleep: Do not allow them to lack sleep regularly. Sleep is essential for concentration and learning.

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When to worry?

Significant Regression: If a child shows significant regression in academic skills, such as

significant drop in his academic results.

Social Isolation: When a child becomes

excessively socially isolated, avoids interactions with peers, or shows signs of social withdrawal.

Concentration Difficulties: Persistent problems with concentration, attention or hyperactivity may indicate a need for evaluation.

Lower Self-Esteem: A marked drop in self-esteem, signs of worthlessness or depression should be taken seriously.

Behavioral Problems: Aggressive, hostile behavior or recurring discipline problems may

be signs of underlying discomfort.

School Refusal: If a child flatly refuses to go to school or expresses an intense aversion to learning,

this requires special attention.

Drastic Changes in Behavior: Sudden and extreme changes in behavior, such as acts of self-harm, violence or eating disorders, require immediate intervention.

If you observe any of these characteristics in your child, it is essential to consult a mental health professional or teacher for appropriate assessment and support.

Advice

Open Communication: Maintain open communication with your child to understand their concerns and academic needs.

Positive Encouragement: Build your child’s confidence in their abilities by praising them for their efforts and accomplishments.

Academic Support: If necessary, seek additional academic support, such as a tutor, to help your child overcome difficulties.

Continuous Observation: Stay alert for changes in behavior and signs of emotional distress.

Structured Routine: Establish a structured daily routine to help your child manage their time effectively.

Screen Limitations: Control screen time and encourage online educational activities.

Encouragement of Curiosity: Encourage curiosity by exploring topics of interest together and visiting museums or exhibitions.

Psychological Support: If necessary, consider seeing a psychologist or family counselor to help your child overcome emotional challenges.

Maintaining Emotional Well-Being: Make sure your child has resources to manage stress and emotions.

Promote Exploration: Encourage your child to explore different topics of interest, whether it be science, art,

music or history, by participating in activities related to these areas.

Creative Projects: Support your child's creative and artistic projects, whether it's drawing, painting, music or creating videos.

Practical Learning: Encourage hands-on learning by participating in science experiments at home or cooking together to develop math skills.

Nature Exploration: Spend time outdoors exploring nature, hiking, or observing wildlife to stimulate scientific curiosity.

Encourage Problem Solving: Introduce riddles and puzzles to develop your child's problem-solving skills.

Accountability: Give your child responsibilities at home, such as managing their schedule or preparing simple meals, to encourage independence.

Open communication and ongoing support are essential to helping your child succeed cognitively and educationally.

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