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Pre-teen (9-12 years)

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<p>As your child enters the pre-teen years, they have more opportunities to express their independence. Find out how to support their mental health, prepare for puberty and handle influences from the media.</p>

<div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Behaviour issues</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Read about talking to your child and handling any concerns about bullying.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=303&language=English">Bullying</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=736&language=English">Cyberbullying part one</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=737&language=English">Cyberbullying part two</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=738&language=English">Cyberbullying: Talking to your children</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Common health problems</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Discover how to identify and respond to pierced ear infections and sleep disturbances.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=27&language=English">Pierced ear infection</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=306&language=English">Sleeping problems</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=3948&language=English">Caring for dental braces while travelling and away from home</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Mental health</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Read about some common issues such as child and youth anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns and the influence of television, the internet and social media.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=18&language=English">Anxiety</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=19&language=English">Depression</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=20&language=English">Substance abuse</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=643&language=English">Screen time: Overview</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Puberty</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Find out about the physical and emotional changes in boys and girls and how they are linked with puberty.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=624&language=English">Stages of puberty in boys</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=299&language=English">Menstruation</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=300&language=English">Menstruation and developmental disability: Advice for parents of adolescent girls</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=623&language=English">Puberty in girls</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Relationships and sexuality</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Learn how to talk to your pre-teen about sex and relationships and how to help them make safe choices about using the internet and social media.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=716&language=English">Sex education: What children should learn and when</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=718&language=English">Sex education for children: Why parents should talk to their kids about sex</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=717&language=English">Sex education for children: Eight tips for parents</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="https://hollandbloorview.ca/disability-sexuality-resource-hub">Disability and sexuality resource hub (Holland Bloorview)</a></li><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="https://hollandbloorview.ca/disability-sexuality-resource-hub/sexuality-guides">“Becoming You: Exploring sexuality and disability for pre-teens” book (Holland Bloorview)</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">Routine health in pre-teens</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Learn about the standard immunizations for pre-teens.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=493&language=English">Immunizations</a></li></ol></div><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading clickable"> <span class="pull-right panel-heading-collapsable-icon"> <i class="mdi mdi-chevron-down"></i></span><h2 class="panel-title">School and activities</h2></div><div class="panel-body list-group" style="display:none;"><p>Find out how to continue supporting your child with homework and respond to concerns about ADHD or other conditions that may affect learning.</p></div><ol class="list-group" style="display:none;"><li class="list-group-item"><a class="overview-links" href="/Article?contentid=653&language=English">Learning disabilities: Overview</a></li></ol></div>

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yourpreteen

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<span class="recognition-text">Production and maintenance of these articles were made possible in part by an educational grant provided by the <a href="/Sponsors#chelsea">Chelsea Hotel</a>. SickKids is grateful for the generous support of our corporate partners but does not endorse specific products or services, nor receive any editorial direction from its sponsors.</span><br>