# Age 10: Development, Research, and What Helps > What's normal at age 10: early puberty, sleep, friendships, first phones and social media, the HPV vaccine, money, chores, and the 10-year checkup. - Stage: Age 10 (10 to 11 years) - Series: Chorevia Parent Guides, newborn to 18 (https://chorevia.com/learn) - Canonical URL: https://chorevia.com/learn/10-years - Last reviewed: 2026-10-10 - Publisher: Chorevia (https://chorevia.com) - Cite as: Chorevia. "Age 10: Development, Research, and What Helps." Last reviewed October 10, 2026. https://chorevia.com/learn/10-years This guide is general education that summarizes published research and guidance from groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, and the WHO. It isn’t medical advice, and every child develops on their own timeline. Your pediatrician knows your child; if something feels wrong, call them. In an emergency, call 911. ## At a glance - Puberty usually starts between 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys. Start small, frequent talks now, before the changes arrive. - Most 10-year-olds need 9 to 12 hours of sleep. Keep phones and other screens out of the bedroom at night. - Researchers genuinely disagree about how much social media harms kids. Most platforms require users to be 13, and the early teen years look like a sensitive window. - No study shows a safe age for a first phone. Readiness, a family media plan, and staying involved matter more than a birthday. - Talk about healthy habits, not weight. Weight-focused comments from parents are linked to more dieting and disordered eating. - Ten-year-olds can take on real family jobs, like helping cook dinner and handling their own laundry, and can learn to budget a small allowance. - Kids under 13 ride in the back seat. Most need a booster until the adult belt fits, often somewhere between 10 and 12. - The AAP recommends starting the HPV vaccine at 9 to 12. US guidance has been in flux in 2026, so ask your pediatrician which schedule they follow. ## Your age-10 checklist - [ ] Book the 10-year checkup and let your child have some time alone with the doctor - [ ] Ask your pediatrician about the HPV vaccine and which schedule they follow - [ ] Start a low-key puberty conversation, then keep it going - [ ] Pack a just-in-case kit for school: pads, deodorant, spare underwear - [ ] Set a bedtime that allows 9 to 12 hours of sleep - [ ] Move device charging out of bedrooms - [ ] Write a family media plan before any new phone, app, or game - [ ] Check that the adult seat belt fits, or keep using the booster - [ ] Store any guns locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately - [ ] Give your child one real family job, like cooking a simple dinner with you - [ ] Set up a simple monthly budget for allowance or gift money - [ ] Save 988 and Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) in your phone Ten sits on the edge of adolescence. For many kids, puberty starts, friends move to the center of life, and the first-phone question arrives. This guide covers 10 to 11; for the year before, see the [age 9 guide](https://chorevia.com/learn/9-years), and for what comes next, the [age 11 guide](https://chorevia.com/learn/11-years). ## What's developing The 10-year checkup centers on growth, puberty, friendships, pressure at school and in activities, and mood ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). Every child runs on their own clock, and the range of normal is wide. ### Puberty begins for many Puberty usually begins between 8 and 13 in girls and between 9 and 14 in boys ([NICHD](https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty/conditioninfo)). - **Girls:** The first sign in most girls is breast "buds," small bumps under the nipple that may be tender or start on one side first. In about 15% of girls, pubic hair shows up first ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Breast budding starts around age 10 on average ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx)). - **Boys:** Boys start about a year later than girls. The first sign is enlargement of the testicles, at an average age of 11 but anywhere from 9 to 14 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx)). Three in four boys or more get some breast growth early in puberty, which usually goes away in 1 to 2 years ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Boys-What-to-Expect.aspx)). - **Too early or late:** Doctors call puberty early (precocious) when it starts before 8 in girls or before 9 in boys ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-Puberty-Starts-Early.aspx)). For boys, puberty is considered delayed if it hasn't started by 14 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty.aspx)); for girls, ACOG advises a checkup if there's no breast development by 13 ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign)). ### First periods The average age for a first period in the US is around 12 ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). ACOG puts the median at 12.43 years, usually 2 to 3 years after breast budding, and 98% of girls have had a first period by 15 ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign)). A small amount of clear or white vaginal discharge often starts 6 to 12 months before the first period, and it's normal ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Early periods are often light and irregular; it can take 6 years or more for cycles to settle ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period)). ### Growth spurts and changing shapes About 25% of growth in height happens during puberty. Because girls start earlier, they're often taller than boys their age in middle school, until boys catch up ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx)). Girls grow fastest between breast budding and about 6 months before their first period, then usually grow only 1 to 2 more inches. Gaining weight while growing taller is normal, and girls' body fat percentage rises during puberty ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Boys' growth spurt comes later in puberty, and their voices may crack for a while as the voice box grows ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Boys-What-to-Expect.aspx)). ### Sweat, smell, and skin Every child gets some body odor as puberty begins, often as early as 8 or 9. Once you notice it, the AAP suggests a shower daily or every other day and deodorant; some scented body sprays don't contain real deodorant ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Body-Odor-in-Teens-video.aspx)). Acne is common too ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Tween skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin, and the anti-aging ingredients in viral routines, like retinoids and acids, aren't meant for it ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/trendy-skin-care-for-tweens-and-teens-is-it-safe.aspx)). ### The social brain switches on The brain keeps maturing into the mid-to-late 20s, and the prefrontal cortex, which handles planning and decisions, is one of the last areas to finish. Meanwhile, changes in social areas of the brain push kids to focus more on peers ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know)). Expect your 10-year-old to want more privacy, care more about what friends think, and feel the pressure of competition in school and sports ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). That's how independence gets built. ### Sleep and the start of the night-owl shift Children 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep a day, and teens need 8 to 10 ([Paruthi et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27250809/)). Around the start of puberty, most kids' internal clocks begin shifting later, by up to 2 hours compared with middle childhood, partly because melatonin is released later at night ([AAP, 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25156998/)). In a study of 458 sixth graders, girls further along in puberty were more likely to be "evening types," with a similar trend in boys that wasn't statistically significant ([Carskadon et al., 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8506460/)). A child who suddenly can't fall asleep at the old bedtime may simply be on schedule. ## What the research says Some findings for this age are solid. Others, especially about phones and social media, are still being argued over by serious researchers. **1. Puberty starts earlier than it used to, at least for breasts.** In a 1997 study, 225 pediatric clinicians examined 17,077 girls and found breast development began at an average of 8.87 years in Black girls and 9.96 years in white girls, earlier than the norms then in use ([Herman-Giddens et al., 1997](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9093289/)). In a 2010 study of 1,239 girls, 18.3% of white, 42.9% of Black, and 30.9% of Hispanic 8-year-olds had started breast development ([Biro et al., 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20696727/)). A meta-analysis of 30 studies found the age of breast budding fell by almost 3 months per decade from 1977 to 2013 ([Eckert-Lind et al., 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32040143/)). First periods have moved much less: the US median has been stable for 30 years, except for a 5.5-month shift earlier among Black girls ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign)). *Takeaway:* For many 10-year-olds, puberty has already begun. Start the talks earlier than feels natural. **2. Social media and mental health: a real link, small on average, and hotly debated.** Across three datasets of 355,358 adolescents, digital technology use explained at most 0.4% of the variation in well-being ([Orben & Przybylski, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944443/)). But in a US study that followed 6,595 teens aged 12 to 15, those using social media more than 3 hours a day had a higher risk of later anxiety and depression symptoms, even after adjusting for earlier mental health ([Riehm et al., 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31509167/); [HHS, 2023](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf)). The US Surgeon General's 2023 advisory said there wasn't yet enough evidence to call social media sufficiently safe for kids ([HHS, 2023](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf)). The same year, a National Academies review found the research did not support the conclusion that social media causes changes in adolescent health at the population level, while stressing that this doesn't mean no action is needed ([NASEM, 2023](https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/27396/Highlights_for_Social_Media_and_Adolescent_Health.pdf)). The American Psychological Association says social media isn't inherently beneficial or harmful; effects depend on the child, the content, and the platform's features ([APA, 2023](https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf)). Psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that a phone-based childhood has crowded out play and independence and is driving youth anxiety and depression ([The Anxious Generation](https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/)); psychologist Candice Odgers counters that studies mostly find no, small, or mixed associations, and that struggling kids may simply use social media more ([Odgers, 2024](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00902-2)). *Takeaway:* Average effects look small, but averages can hide the kids who are hurt. Watch your own child's sleep, mood, and what they see. **3. Ages 11 to 13 may be a sensitive window for girls.** In UK data on 84,011 people, the link between social media use and lower life satisfaction was strongest in younger adolescents. Following 17,409 young people over time, higher use predicted lower life satisfaction a year later at ages 11 to 13 (and 19) for girls and 14 to 15 (and 19) for boys. The reverse also held: lower life satisfaction predicted more use ([Orben et al., 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347142/)). *Takeaway:* The years just ahead are the ones to plan for. Delaying and coaching early use is reasonable. **4. A first phone: the studies conflict.** In the large US ABCD study of 10,588 kids, owning a smartphone at 12 was linked with higher odds of depression, obesity, and too little sleep. Each year earlier a child got a phone was linked with about 8% to 9% higher odds of obesity and insufficient sleep, and kids who got a phone between 12 and 13 were more likely than those who didn't to have clinical-level mental health symptoms and too little sleep at 13, even after accounting for their earlier mental health and sleep ([Barzilay et al., 2026](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41324306/)). A smaller study that followed 263 low-income Latino children for 5 years found no meaningful links between phone ownership or age of first phone and depression symptoms, grades, or sleep ([Sun et al., 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36056573/)). Both are observational. The AAP says studies don't point to a specific age that's safe ([Munzer, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx)). *Takeaway:* No study proves a safe age. Base the decision on your child's readiness, and protect sleep whatever you decide. **5. Devices in the bedroom cost sleep.** A meta-analysis of 20 studies of 125,198 children found that using a phone or tablet at bedtime was linked with about twice the odds of not getting enough sleep. Just having the device in the bedroom, even unused, was linked with worse sleep too ([Carter et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27802500/)). All the studies were cross-sectional, so they show links, not proof of cause. *Takeaway:* Charge devices outside the bedroom. It's the easiest sleep fix there is. **6. Talk about healthy eating, not weight.** In a study of 2,793 teens and 3,709 parents, teens whose parents talked about weight or body size were more likely to diet, use unhealthy weight-control methods, and binge eat. Conversations about healthy eating alone were linked with less dieting among teens with overweight ([Berge et al., 2013](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23797808/)). The AAP advises focusing on healthy habits rather than weight to prevent both obesity and eating disorders ([Golden et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27550979/)). *Takeaway:* Skip comments about weight: your child's, yours, or anyone else's. **7. Exclusion and rumors are aggression too.** In a classic study of 491 third- through sixth-graders, "relational aggression," which aims at a child's relationships rather than their body, was distinct from physical and verbal aggression. Girls used it more than boys, and kids who did it were more rejected, lonely, and depressed ([Crick & Grotpeter, 1995](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7789197/)). School anti-bullying programs work modestly, cutting bullying by about 19% to 20% and victimization by about 15% to 16%; whole-school approaches and information for parents were linked to bigger effects ([Gaffney et al., 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33715780/)). *Takeaway:* Take friendship cruelty seriously, and bring in the school when it doesn't stop. **8. Activity drops off, and too much of one sport backfires.** Measured with activity trackers in 2003 to 2004, 42% of US children aged 6 to 11 got the recommended 60 minutes a day, compared with 8% of adolescents ([Troiano et al., 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091006/)). Among 1,190 young athletes, specializing in one sport was linked with more injuries, and training more hours per week than their age in years roughly doubled the odds of a serious overuse injury ([Jayanthi et al., 2015](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25646361/)). *Takeaway:* Keep them moving with variety and fun, not more hours of one sport. ## Parenting techniques ### Talk about puberty in small doses Puberty talk works best as many short conversations, not one big one, so your child can ask at their own pace ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Kids want parents to talk with them about tough subjects, even when it feels awkward ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). - **Name what's coming before it comes.** Tell every child about both sexes' changes: periods, breast growth, erections, wet dreams, voice changes. The AAP suggests anticipating worries out loud, like a boy's breast swelling or concerns about penis size, rather than waiting to be asked ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Boys-What-to-Expect.aspx)). - **Respect privacy.** Some kids don't want to talk to parents about this, and that's okay. Offer good books and the pediatrician as other trusted sources ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). - **Remember that it's harder for some.** Puberty can be especially stressful for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse kids; your pediatrician can help ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). *Script:* "Lots of kids your age start noticing changes in their bodies. You can ask me anything. If you'd rather not ask me, we'll find a good book or ask your doctor." ### Get ready for a first period Put pads and pantiliners in your child's backpack or locker, and show them where the school nurse is ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Explain what's normal: a period lasts 2 to 7 days, cycles anywhere from 21 to 45 days apart are normal, and pads or tampons should be changed at least every 4 to 8 hours; leaving a tampon in too long is linked to toxic shock syndrome ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period)). For cramps, ibuprofen or naproxen as needed usually work best; if cramps are severe or keep your child home from school, talk to your pediatrician ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). ### Stay close while handing over more For 10- to 14-year-olds, the American Psychological Association advises adult monitoring of most social media use, meaning ongoing review, discussion, and coaching, balanced with a growing need for privacy. Autonomy can grow gradually as kids get older and build digital skills ([APA, 2023](https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf)). - **Build a regular check-in.** Car rides, meals, a weekly cooking night, or a shared workout give you time to talk without a formal sit-down ([Radesky, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/cell-phones-whats-the-right-age-to-start.aspx)). - **Offer a no-questions-asked ride.** Make sure your child knows they can call for a pickup from anywhere they feel unsafe, with a calm talk later ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). - **Let them see the doctor alone.** Some 10-year-olds prefer part of the checkup on their own, and it shows you trust them ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). ### Decide on a phone with a plan, not a birthday The AAP's 2026 media policy moved away from simple screen-time limits toward quality, context, and conversation. It warns that features like autoplay, endless scrolling, and targeted ads aren't built with children's well-being in mind, and it suggests a child may be ready for a smartphone if they're mostly truthful with adults and handle conflicts safely ([Munzer, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx)). Before saying yes, the AAP suggests asking how your child wants to use it, whether a basic phone or watch would do for now, whether they have the impulse control for texting and apps, and how you'll keep talking about their digital life. If you go ahead, set up parental controls together, explain the reasons, and treat it as an experiment: more freedom as they show responsibility ([Radesky, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/cell-phones-whats-the-right-age-to-start.aspx)). Make a [Family Media Plan](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx) and model the habits you want. Keep all screens out of bedrooms at night and off at least an hour before bed ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx)). *Script:* "You're getting this phone because I trust you. The rules start tight and loosen as you show me you can handle them. Phones sleep in the kitchen, including mine." ### Coach friendships and handle meanness Social bullying means trying to shame or isolate someone: leaving them out or spreading rumors. Watch for headaches or stomachaches, avoiding school, lower grades, trouble sleeping, or a sudden loss of friends ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx)). - **Listen first.** Ask what happened and when, and let your child know they can talk when they're ready. - **Rehearse "stop, walk, talk."** Say "Stop" firmly, walk away calmly, and tell a trusted adult. Practice until it feels natural. - **Escalate if it continues.** Bring in teachers, counselors, school leaders, or your pediatrician ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx)). - **Online, save screenshots,** and don't threaten to take away the device; kids may stop telling you ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Cyberbullying.aspx)). - **If your child is the one excluding others,** act right away and expect respect, even toward kids they don't like ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx)). ### Keep weight out of the conversation Talk about eating well, moving, and sleeping, never about weight or body size ([Berge et al., 2013](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23797808/); [Golden et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27550979/)). If your child worries about gaining weight, explain that it's a normal part of growing; your pediatrician watches the overall pattern on the growth chart, not one number ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Seek help if your child diets or exercises excessively or seems afraid of gaining weight ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)). ### Keep sports fun Kids this age need 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day, with vigorous, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activity at least 3 days a week each ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/children.html)). The AAP's advice for keeping kids in the game: try a variety of sports before puberty, focus on fun, keep weekly training hours no higher than your child's age in years, and plan 1 to 2 rest days a week and 2 to 3 months off a year ([Brenner, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Too-Much-Too-Soon-Overtraining.aspx)). Parental support that values development and fun over winning helps kids enjoy sports ([Logan & Cuff, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31110166/)). ### Notice anxiety and low mood In 2023 to 2024, 11% of US children aged 3 to 17 had diagnosed anxiety and 4% had diagnosed depression ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html)). Consider getting help if worry, sadness, or irritability lasts weeks, causes distress, or gets in the way of school, home, or friends. Signs include frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause, sleeping too much or too little, losing interest in things they enjoyed, falling grades, and pulling away from friends and family ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)). The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends anxiety screening from age 8 and depression screening from 12 ([USPSTF, 2022](https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-anxiety-children-adolescents); [USPSTF, 2022](https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-depression-suicide-risk-children-adolescents)). ## What to teach Ten-year-olds are ready for real information, real responsibility, and real money. ### Body basics and body safety - **What's coming:** the changes above, using correct names, for every child. - **Hygiene:** regular showers, deodorant, clean socks and clothes after sports ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Body-Odor-in-Teens-video.aspx)). - **Simple skin care:** gentle cleanser and sunscreen, not anti-aging products ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/trendy-skin-care-for-tweens-and-teens-is-it-safe.aspx)). - **Body safety:** which touches are okay, and to tell you if any adult touches them in a way that seems wrong. Pediatricians ask about this at the 10-year visit ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). ### Online safety - **Keep personal information private** ([CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/school-age-children-preteens/)). - **Know the red flags of sextortion:** someone online who moves fast to ask for photos, pushes the chat to a different app, or pretends to be younger than they are. Teach that the blackmailer is the one committing a crime, that paying rarely stops it, and to report and block but not delete the messages. Teenage boys have been the most common targets in recent cases ([NCMEC](https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion)). - **Know your rights:** sites aimed at kids under 13 must get a parent's consent before collecting a child's personal information, and you can review and delete what they've collected ([FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protecting-your-childs-privacy-online)). ### Ads, influencers, and in-game purchases School-age kids may recognize ads but often can't resist them when they come from influencers or are mixed into content they trust ([Radesky et al., 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32571990/)). The AAP suggests talking about ads, influencers, and privacy, and helping kids spot marketing tricks ([Munzer, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx)). Game design can be a trick too: in 2022, the maker of Fortnite agreed to pay $245 million in refunds after the FTC alleged that confusing buttons led to unwanted charges and that, until 2018, kids could buy in-game currency without a parent's consent ([FTC, 2022](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations)). ### Family jobs that matter The AAP lists jobs for 8- to 10-year-olds like vacuuming, helping make dinner, making their own snacks, and putting away their own laundry and the groceries. By 11 or 12, kids can do and fold laundry, clean the kitchen and bathroom, change their sheets, and cook a simple meal with supervision ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx)). Ten is a good year to move from helping to owning one of these. The research is encouraging but observational. In a study of 9,971 US children, those who did chores regularly in kindergarten rated themselves more competent socially and academically in third grade ([White et al., 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30507727/)). In a survey of parents of 207 children aged 5 to 13, kids who did more self-care and family-care chores, like making a meal, had better working memory and self-control ([Tepper et al., 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35640882/)). And young adults with strong cooking skills ate better 10 years later ([Utter et al., 2018](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29525525/)). To make it stick, introduce one new task at a time, praise effort honestly, and rely on routines; the AAP notes that scolding and badgering don't work ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx)). Keep everyday family jobs separate from any optional paid extras, so pitching in is never something a child can opt out of. For more, see [chores by age and what to pay](https://chorevia.com/blog/chores-by-age-what-to-pay), [how to stop nagging](https://chorevia.com/blog/stop-nagging-kids-about-chores), and [teaching pride in their work](https://chorevia.com/blog/teach-kids-pride-in-their-work). ### Money: from jars to a budget The CFPB describes ages 6 to 12 as the years when money habits and norms form, partly by watching and interacting with parents and caregivers. Deciding whether to spend an allowance each week or save for something big is early practice in planning ([CFPB, 2016](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/092016_cfpb_BuildingBlocksReport_ModelAndRecommendations_web.pdf)). At this age, the CFPB suggests teaching that you can earn money through an allowance or jobs, that saving is a habit, that spending means choices, that comparing prices pays, and that loans cost interest ([CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/school-age-children-preteens/)). Research on allowances is limited and observational. Most US children aged 6 to 15 get one, and young adults who had one reported modestly higher financial responsibility ([Collins & Odders-White, 2021](https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jfamec/v42y2021i3d10.1007_s10834-020-09748-y.html)). In Dutch data, adults whose parents taught them to save were 16% more likely to save; the most effective mix was pocket money plus monitoring plus advice about saving and budgeting ([Bucciol & Veronesi, 2014](https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/joepsy/v45y2014icp1-17.html)). No trials have tested paying for chores. A meta-analysis of 128 lab experiments found that expected tangible rewards reduced people's own interest in a task, more so in children ([Deci et al., 1999](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589297/)), but those weren't chores, and other researchers disputed how broadly it applies ([Eisenberger et al., 1999](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589299/)). Many families pay only for extra jobs. See [teaching kids financial skills](https://chorevia.com/blog/teach-kids-financial-skills), [rewards without bribery](https://chorevia.com/blog/chore-reward-system-without-bribery), and [teaching the cost of living](https://chorevia.com/blog/teach-kids-cost-of-living). A real savings account helps the lessons feel real. Many banks offer accounts designed for young people; a parent or guardian is on the account until the child is an adult, and FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 ([FDIC, 2026](https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2026-03/your-childs-financial-building-blocks)). ### Independence in steps Experts typically agree that 11 or 12 is an appropriate age to stay home alone for a few hours, and most kids aren't ready to do it regularly until about 10 or 11. Some states set minimum ages, ranging from 8 to 14 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx)). Biking farther from home is another step; teach the rules of the road and check that your child can handle it before widening the range ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Safety-for-Your-Child-10-Years.aspx)). For more on building independence through responsibility, see [raising independent kids](https://chorevia.com/blog/raise-independent-kids-chores). ## Activities to try Pick a few that fit your family, and let your child choose some too. ### The question notebook - **Time:** 5 minutes to set up, then whenever a question comes up - **Builds:** Comfort talking about bodies; a private way to ask - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP advises many small, ongoing puberty conversations so kids can ask at their own pace ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)); a shared notebook as a tool hasn't been studied. 1. Leave a notebook in an agreed private spot. 2. Your child writes any question about bodies, friends, or feelings, signed or not. 3. Write back within a day or two, briefly and without judgment. 4. Offer to talk in person if they'd like. **Make it work:** If you don't know an answer, write "Good question. Let's ask your doctor at the checkup." ### Pack a just-in-case kit - **Time:** 20 minutes - **Builds:** Confidence and readiness for a first period or a sweaty day - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP suggests keeping period supplies in a backpack or locker and reviewing school resources to ease worry ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)); ACOG explains the product options ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period)). Kits themselves haven't been studied. 1. Fill a small zip pouch with pads or period underwear, a pantiliner, spare underwear, and wipes, or deodorant and a spare shirt. 2. Show how each item is used, at home, without rushing. 3. Walk through what to do at school: where the nurse is and how to ask a teacher to be excused. **Make it work:** Restock after each use, and let your child pick the pouch. ### Kid-led family dinner - **Time:** One evening a week, about an hour - **Builds:** Cooking skills, planning, real contribution - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP lists helping make dinner at 8 to 10 and cooking a simple meal with supervision at 11 to 12 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx)). In a parent survey, kids who did more meal-making and other self- and family-care chores had better working memory and self-control, a link that can't prove cause ([Tepper et al., 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35640882/)), and young adults who cooked well ate better a decade later ([Utter et al., 2018](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29525525/)). 1. Your child picks a simple recipe, like tacos, pasta, or eggs and toast. 2. They check the pantry and write the shopping list. 3. Cook together, with your child in charge and you supervising the stove, oven, and knives. 4. They serve; everyone helps clean up. **Make it work:** Teach how to hold kitchen tools, use oven mitts, and turn appliances off, and always supervise ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Cooking-With-Your-Children.aspx)). ### Laundry, start to finish - **Time:** About 30 minutes of hands-on time per load - **Builds:** Independence, following a multistep process - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP lists putting away their own laundry at 8 to 10 and washing and folding it at 11 to 12 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx)); in a US cohort of 9,971 children, regular chores in kindergarten were linked with feeling more competent in third grade ([White et al., 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30507727/)). 1. Do the first few loads side by side: sorting, settings, detergent amount. 2. Post a simple checklist by the machine. 3. Hand over one load a week of their own clothes, washed, dried, folded, and put away. **Make it work:** Keep this an everyday family job, not a paid extra. ### The monthly budget - **Time:** 15 minutes once a month - **Builds:** Planning, trade-offs, waiting for what you want - **Evidence:** Emerging. Young adults who had an allowance as kids reported modestly higher financial responsibility, an observational finding ([Collins & Odders-White, 2021](https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jfamec/v42y2021i3d10.1007_s10834-020-09748-y.html)); the CFPB describes choosing between spending now and saving for something big as practice in planning ([CFPB, 2016](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/092016_cfpb_BuildingBlocksReport_ModelAndRecommendations_web.pdf)). 1. Agree on what the money has to cover, like snacks out, friends' birthday gifts, or game purchases. 2. Split each payment into spend, save, and give, on paper or in a simple app. 3. Once a month, review what went well and what ran out. 4. If the money runs out early, don't top it up; that's the lesson. ### A savings goal in a real account - **Time:** One bank visit, then 5 minutes a month - **Builds:** A saving habit, an understanding of interest - **Evidence:** Emerging. In Dutch household data, adults whose parents taught them to save were more likely to save as adults, and combining pocket money, monitoring, and advice worked best ([Bucciol & Veronesi, 2014](https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/joepsy/v45y2014icp1-17.html)). The study is observational. 1. Your child picks a goal and looks up its price. 2. Open a youth savings account together ([FDIC, 2026](https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2026-03/your-childs-financial-building-blocks)). 3. Check the balance monthly and point out any interest earned. 4. Celebrate when they reach the goal, and let them make the purchase. ### Ad detective - **Time:** 10 minutes during a show, game, or video you watch together - **Builds:** Spotting ads, sponsorships, and influencer marketing - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP says school-age kids may recognize ads but often can't resist them when they come from influencers ([Radesky et al., 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32571990/)), and it recommends talking about ads and influencers ([Munzer, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx)). Whether spotting games change buying hasn't been tested. 1. Whoever spots an ad, sponsored post, or product placement calls it out. 2. Ask: Who paid for this? What do they want you to feel, buy, or do? 3. Look for labels like "sponsored," "ad," or "paid partnership." ### The 48-hour wish list - **Time:** 2 minutes per want - **Builds:** Impulse control, needs versus wants - **Evidence:** Emerging. The FTC alleged that Fortnite's design led players into unwanted charges ([FTC, 2022](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations)), and the CFPB encourages teaching kids to compare before they buy ([CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/school-age-children-preteens/)). The waiting rule itself hasn't been studied. 1. Any nonessential purchase, including in-game currency, goes on a list first. 2. After 48 hours, if your child still wants it and it fits the budget, they buy it with their own money. 3. Turn on purchase approval on every device and game account. ### Write your family media plan - **Time:** 30 to 45 minutes, revisited every few months - **Builds:** Shared rules your child helped make - **Evidence:** Moderate. The AAP recommends a Family Media Plan as part of its 2026 policy on digital media ([AAP, 2026](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/creating-a-child-friendly-digital-world-AAP-releases-new-media-recommendations.aspx)), though whether a written plan changes behavior hasn't been tested in trials. 1. Open the AAP's [Family Media Plan](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx) together. 2. Agree on screen-free times and places: meals, bedrooms, the hour before bed. 3. Add rules for new apps, games, and group chats. 4. Everyone signs, adults included. ### Charge phones in the kitchen - **Time:** 1 minute a night - **Builds:** Sleep and healthier device habits - **Evidence:** Moderate. A meta-analysis of 20 studies of 125,198 children linked bedtime device use, and even device access, with worse sleep; the studies were observational ([Carter et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27802500/)). The AAP recommends keeping screens out of bedrooms ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx)). 1. Set up a charging spot outside the bedrooms. 2. Devices go there an hour before bed. 3. Adults dock theirs too. 4. Use a plain alarm clock for wake-ups. ### Try a new sport each season - **Time:** One season at a time - **Builds:** Fitness, varied skills, fun - **Evidence:** Moderate. The AAP encourages trying many sports before puberty and keeping weekly training hours no higher than age ([Brenner, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Too-Much-Too-Soon-Overtraining.aspx)); in a study of 1,190 athletes, single-sport specialization and training more hours than their age were linked with more overuse injuries ([Jayanthi et al., 2015](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25646361/)). 1. Let your child choose something new, like swimming, climbing, dance, or martial arts. 2. Check that total weekly training hours don't exceed their age in years. 3. Keep 1 to 2 rest days a week. ### Home-alone practice run - **Time:** 15 to 30 minutes to start - **Builds:** Independence, safety skills, confidence - **Evidence:** Emerging. The AAP suggests checking readiness, setting rules, and starting with short stretches, building up as you both get comfortable ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx)). The approach hasn't been studied. 1. Review how to reach you, when to call 911, and what to do about a fire, a knock at the door, or a phone call. 2. Leave for 15 to 30 minutes while staying nearby. 3. Talk afterward about what went well, then lengthen the time gradually. **Make it work:** Skip cooking on the first runs, and check your state's rules ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx)). ### Family dinner, phones away - **Time:** 30 minutes, 3 or more times a week - **Builds:** Connection and a healthy relationship with food - **Evidence:** Moderate. The AAP says kids who eat with family at least 3 times a week get physical, emotional, social, and academic benefits, and research links family meals with lower risks of depression and eating disorders ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/family-meals-eat-together-thrive-together.aspx)); these are associations, not proof of cause. 1. All phones go to the charging spot. 2. Talk about the day, not what's on anyone's plate or anyone's weight. 3. Rotate who plans or cooks. ## Common questions ### When does puberty start for girls and boys? Puberty usually starts between 8 and 13 in girls and between 9 and 14 in boys ([NICHD](https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty/conditioninfo)). In girls, breast budding usually comes first, around age 10 on average; in boys, the first sign is enlarging testicles, at an average age of 11 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx)). Body odor and a little underarm or pubic hair can show up early too ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx)). ### How can I tell when my daughter's first period is coming? A first period usually comes 2 to 3 years after breast budding starts. The median age is about 12.4, and 98% of girls have had one by 15 ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign)). Clear or white vaginal discharge often starts 6 to 12 months before, and girls grow fastest in height in the stretch before their first period ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)). Have supplies ready before you see these signs. ### Is my child starting puberty too early or too late? Puberty that starts before age 8 in girls or before age 9 in boys is considered early, and it's worth a call to your pediatrician ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-Puberty-Starts-Early.aspx)). Body odor or a little pubic or underarm hair before 8, without other changes, is often premature adrenarche, which usually needs no treatment ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-Puberty-Starts-Early.aspx)). On the late side, ask your pediatrician if a girl has no breast development by 13 or no period by 15 ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign)), or if a boy's testicles haven't started to grow by 14 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty.aspx)). ### How much sleep does a 10-year-old need? A 10-year-old needs 9 to 12 hours of sleep a day ([Paruthi et al., 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27250809/)). Too little sleep is linked with attention, behavior, and learning problems ([AASM](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4877308/)). If your child goes to bed at 9 p.m., a wake-up between 6 and 9 a.m. covers the range. Keep screens out of the bedroom and off at least an hour before bed ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx)), and expect bedtimes to drift later as puberty starts ([AAP, 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25156998/)). ### What age should a child get their first phone? There's no research-backed right age; the AAP says studies don't point to a specific age that's safe ([Munzer, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx)). Studies conflict: a large US study linked owning a smartphone at 12 with more depression, obesity, and poor sleep ([Barzilay et al., 2026](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41324306/)), while a smaller one found no link between age of first phone and mood, grades, or sleep ([Sun et al., 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36056573/)). For reference, in 2021 about 3 in 10 children aged 8 to 9 had their own smartphone, and about 7 in 10 of those aged 12 to 13 did ([Common Sense Media, 2022](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/8-18-census-integrated-report-final-web_0.pdf)). Consider a basic phone or watch first, and see [Decide on a phone with a plan, not a birthday](#decide-on-a-phone-with-a-plan-not-a-birthday). ### Can my 10-year-old have social media? Most social media platforms in the US require users to be at least 13, yet nearly 40% of children aged 8 to 12 use social media ([HHS, 2023](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf)). A federal law, COPPA, also protects kids under 13: sites aimed at them must get a parent's consent before collecting a child's personal information ([FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protecting-your-childs-privacy-online)). Researchers disagree about how harmful social media is (see the research above), but early adolescence looks like a sensitive window ([Orben et al., 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347142/)). If your child uses any platform, the APA advises close monitoring and coaching at this age ([APA, 2023](https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf)). ### When should my child get the HPV vaccine? The AAP recommends starting the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. Preteens make more antibodies than older teens, and most children who start before 15 need only 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart ([Frenck & Perkins, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/are-your-kids-protected-from-cancer-caused-by-hpv.aspx)). The AAP says the vaccine prevents six types of cancer ([Fenton, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/immunizations-for-teenagers-and-young-adults.aspx)). US guidance has been changing: in January 2026, the CDC narrowed its childhood schedule and proposed a single HPV dose, though the FDA approval is for a multi-dose series ([WebMD, 2026](https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/news/20260106/cdc-new-childhood-vaccine-schedule)). The AAP's 2026 schedule differs from the CDC's ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/AAPs-recommended-childhood-and-adolescent-immunization-schedule-for-2026.aspx)). In March 2026, a federal judge paused that CDC schedule change ([KFF, 2026](https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/the-courts-opening-shot-on-federal-vaccine-policy-changes/)) in a lawsuit brought by medical groups including the AAP, and the government has appealed ([STAT, 2026](https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/29/hhs-appealing-acip-vaccine-policy-lawsuit-ruling/)). Ask your pediatrician which schedule they follow. ### Can a 10-year-old sit in the front seat? No. The AAP says all children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. Most children also need a belt-positioning booster until the adult seat belt fits properly, typically at 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 and 12 years old; most won't fit an adult belt without a booster until 10 to 12 ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx)). The belt fits when the lap belt lies low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly, and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx)). ### Can my 10-year-old stay home alone? Possibly, for short stretches, if they're ready. The AAP says most children aren't mature enough to stay alone regularly until about 10 or 11, and experts typically agree that 11 or 12 is an appropriate age to stay home for a few hours ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx)). Some states set minimum ages, from 8 to 14, so check yours. Start short, review emergency plans, and build up (see the home-alone practice run above). ### Should I pay my 10-year-old for chores? There's no clear research answer, so many families keep everyday family jobs unpaid and pay only for optional extras. Studies of allowances are observational and show modest benefits at most ([Collins & Odders-White, 2021](https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jfamec/v42y2021i3d10.1007_s10834-020-09748-y.html)), and no trials have tested paying for chores. Lab research suggests expected rewards can reduce kids' own interest in a task ([Deci et al., 1999](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589297/)), but that finding is disputed ([Eisenberger et al., 1999](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589299/)). The AAP lists allowances among possible rewards and emphasizes honest praise and routines ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx)). For practical setups, see [rewards without bribery](https://chorevia.com/blog/chore-reward-system-without-bribery). ### How do I know if my 10-year-old is anxious or depressed? Look for changes that last weeks, cause distress, or get in the way of school, home, or friendships ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)). Common signs include frequent stomachaches or headaches without a medical cause, irritability, sleeping too much or too little, losing interest in favorite things, falling grades, and pulling away from friends. Anxiety is common: 11% of US children aged 3 to 17 have a diagnosis ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html)). Ask your pediatrician; anxiety screening is recommended from age 8 ([USPSTF, 2022](https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-anxiety-children-adolescents)). If your child talks about hurting themselves, get help right away: call or text 988 ([988 Lifeline](https://988lifeline.org/get-help/)). ### My 10-year-old says they're fat. What should I say? Listen, take the feeling seriously, and steer the conversation away from weight and toward what their body can do and how they take care of it. Talking about weight or size is linked with more dieting and binge eating in teens, while talking about healthy eating is not ([Berge et al., 2013](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23797808/)). Explain that gaining weight while growing taller is a normal part of puberty ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)), and avoid commenting on your own body or anyone else's. Talk to your pediatrician if your child starts restricting food, exercising excessively, or seems afraid of gaining weight ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)). ## Safety and when to get help Injuries are the leading cause of death for school-age children, and 10-year-olds spend more time away from home, on bikes, and in cars ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Safety-for-Your-Child-10-Years.aspx)). ### In the car All children under 13 belong in the back seat. Keep using a booster until the adult belt fits, and buckle up every trip, including in other people's cars ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx)). ### Bikes and helmets A helmet on every ride, however short; most bike crashes happen near home. No riding at dusk or after dark ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bicycle-Safety-Myths-And-Facts.aspx)). ### Water For children aged 5 to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death, after car crashes ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/facts/index.html)). Swimming skills don't make kids drown-proof: most drownings among older children happen without adult supervision. Teach your child never to swim alone, to swim where lifeguards are on duty, and to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on boats ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-for-Older-Children.aspx)). ### Guns at home and at friends' homes Firearms are now the leading cause of death for US children and teens. The safest home has no gun; if you keep one, store it locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately and keys out of reach. Teaching kids not to touch guns isn't enough. More than a third of unintentional shootings of children happen in other people's homes, so ask whether there's an unlocked gun before your child visits ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Handguns-in-the-Home.aspx)). In a case-control study, guns involved in youth suicide attempts and unintentional shootings were much less likely to have been stored locked or unloaded ([Grossman et al., 2005](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15701912/)). ### Poisoning Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for any possible poisoning or medicine mistake. Experts answer 24/7 at no cost ([America's Poison Centers](https://poisoncenters.org/)). If someone has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken, call 911 ([Poison Help](https://www.poisonhelp.org/)). ### Online exploitation If someone is threatening or blackmailing your child online, don't pay. Save the messages, block and report the account, and report to the NCMEC CyberTipline ([NCMEC](https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion)); reports of online enticement rose more than 300% from 2021 to 2023 ([NCMEC](https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline)). Make sure your child knows they won't be in trouble for telling you. ### Head injuries in sports Teach your child to tell a coach or parent right away after any hit to the head or body that causes symptoms, even if it means stopping play ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Concussions.aspx)). A child with a concussion needs to be seen by a health care provider ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/about/index.html)). ### Mental health crises If your child talks about wanting to die or hurt themselves, take it seriously. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline any time; it's free and confidential, and you don't have to be suicidal to call ([988 Lifeline](https://988lifeline.org/get-help/)). In a life-threatening situation, call 911 ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)). ### Get emergency care now if your child - Is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or someone else: call 911 ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)) - Has any of these after a hit to the head or body (go to the emergency department): loses consciousness even briefly, has a seizure, is very drowsy or can't be woken, has a headache that keeps getting worse, vomits repeatedly, has slurred speech, weakness, or numbness, has one pupil larger than the other, or becomes increasingly confused or can't recognize people or places ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Concussions.aspx)) ### Call your pediatrician if your child - Shows signs of puberty before 8 (girls) or 9 (boys) ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-Puberty-Starts-Early.aspx)), or no signs by 13 (girls) or 14 (boys) ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign); [AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty.aspx)) - Has periods lasting more than 7 days, soaks a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or has cycles shorter than 21 or longer than 45 days; call right away for heavy bleeding with light-headedness, dizziness, or a racing pulse ([ACOG](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period)) - Has period cramps that are severe or keep them out of school ([Allen & Miller, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx)) - Has worry, sadness, or irritability lasting weeks or getting in the way of daily life, or diets or exercises excessively ([NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health)) - Shows signs of being bullied, like avoiding school, sudden loss of friends, or unexplained injuries ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx)) - Has had a head injury and any concussion symptoms ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Concussions.aspx)) ### The 10-year checkup Expect a full exam with height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure, plus questions about mood and behavior ([AAP, 2025](https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/periodicity_schedule.pdf)). Your pediatrician may check cholesterol if it wasn't done at 9, offer a flu shot, and give a second HPV dose if your child already had the first; some kids like part of the visit alone with the doctor ([AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx)). The AAP recommends Tdap and meningococcal vaccines at 11 or 12, and a flu shot every year ([Fenton, AAP](https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/immunizations-for-teenagers-and-young-adults.aspx)). Routine depression and suicide-risk screening starts at 12 ([AAP, 2025](https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/periodicity_schedule.pdf)), so if you're worried sooner, say so. For the HPV vaccine and how to talk about schedules, see [When should my child get the HPV vaccine?](#when-should-my-child-get-the-hpv-vaccine) above. ## Sources - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Your Checkup Checklist: 10 Years Old." HealthyChildren.org, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Your-Childs-Checkups/Pages/your-checkup-checklist-10-years-old.aspx - Allen B, Miller K. "Physical Development in Girls: What to Expect During Puberty." HealthyChildren.org, 2019. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Endocrinology. "Physical Development in Boys: What to Expect." HealthyChildren.org, 2014. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Boys-What-to-Expect.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Physical Changes During Puberty." HealthyChildren.org, 2014. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrine Society. "Precocious Puberty: When Puberty Starts Early." HealthyChildren.org, 2014. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-Puberty-Starts-Early.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrine Society. "Delayed Puberty in Boys: Information for Parents." HealthyChildren.org, 2014. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Body Odor in Kids & Teens." HealthyChildren.org, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Body-Odor-in-Teens-video.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Dermatology. "Trendy Skin Care for Tweens & Teens: Is It Safe?" HealthyChildren.org, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/trendy-skin-care-for-tweens-and-teens-is-it-safe.aspx - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. "About Puberty and Precocious Puberty." Accessed 2026. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty/conditioninfo - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign." Committee Opinion No. 651, 2015, reaffirmed 2025. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "Your First Period." Updated 2022, reviewed 2025. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period - National Institute of Mental Health. "The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know." Accessed 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know - National Institute of Mental Health. "Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?" Accessed 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health - Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D'Ambrosio C, et al. "Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine." *Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine*, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27250809/ - American Academy of Sleep Medicine (Paruthi S, et al.). "Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations" (full text). *Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine*, 2016. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4877308/ - Adolescent Sleep Working Group, AAP Committee on Adolescence, Council on School Health. "School Start Times for Adolescents." *Pediatrics*, 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25156998/ - Carskadon MA, Vieira C, Acebo C. "Association between puberty and delayed phase preference." *Sleep*, 1993. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8506460/ - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?" HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx - Herman-Giddens ME, Slora EJ, Wasserman RC, et al. "Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in office practice: a study from the Pediatric Research in Office Settings network." *Pediatrics*, 1997. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9093289/ - Biro FM, Galvez MP, Greenspan LC, et al. "Pubertal assessment method and baseline characteristics in a mixed longitudinal study of girls." *Pediatrics*, 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20696727/ - Eckert-Lind C, Busch AS, Petersen JH, et al. "Worldwide Secular Trends in Age at Pubertal Onset Assessed by Breast Development Among Girls: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." *JAMA Pediatrics*, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32040143/ - Orben A, Przybylski AK. "The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use." *Nature Human Behaviour*, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944443/ - Riehm KE, Feder KA, Tormohlen KN, et al. "Associations Between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among US Youth." *JAMA Psychiatry*, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31509167/ - US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. "Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory." 2023. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. "Highlights: Social Media and Adolescent Health." 2023. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/27396/Highlights_for_Social_Media_and_Adolescent_Health.pdf - American Psychological Association. "Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence." 2023. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf - The Anxious Generation movement (Haidt J, Arnold A). Accessed 2026. https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/ - Odgers CL. "The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?" *Nature*, 2024. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00902-2 - Orben A, Przybylski AK, Blakemore SJ, Kievit RA. "Windows of developmental sensitivity to social media." *Nature Communications*, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347142/ - Barzilay R, Pimentel SD, Tran KT, et al. "Smartphone Ownership, Age of Smartphone Acquisition, and Health Outcomes in Early Adolescence." *Pediatrics*, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41324306/ - Sun X, Haydel KF, Matheson D, et al. "Are mobile phone ownership and age of acquisition associated with child adjustment? A 5-year prospective study among low-income Latinx children." *Child Development*, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36056573/ - Carter B, Rees P, Hale L, et al. "Association Between Portable Screen-Based Media Device Access or Use and Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." *JAMA Pediatrics*, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27802500/ - Rideout V, Peebles A, Mann S, Robb MB. "The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021." Common Sense Media, 2022. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/8-18-census-integrated-report-final-web_0.pdf - Munzer T. "Helping Kids Thrive in a Digital World: AAP Policy Explained." HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/helping-kids-thrive-in-a-digital-world-AAP-policy-explained.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "A Child-Friendly Digital World: AAP Releases New Media Recommendations." HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/creating-a-child-friendly-digital-world-AAP-releases-new-media-recommendations.aspx - Radesky J. "Your Child's First Phone: Are They Ready?" HealthyChildren.org, 2022. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/cell-phones-whats-the-right-age-to-start.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Family Media Plan." HealthyChildren.org, accessed 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx - Radesky J, Chassiakos YLR, Ameenuddin N, Navsaria D; AAP Council on Communication and Media. "Digital Advertising to Children." *Pediatrics*, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32571990/ - US Federal Trade Commission. "Fortnite Video Game Maker Epic Games to Pay More Than Half a Billion Dollars over FTC Allegations." 2022. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations - US Federal Trade Commission. "Protecting Your Child's Privacy Online." 2026. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protecting-your-childs-privacy-online - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "Sextortion." Accessed 2026. https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "CyberTipline." Accessed 2026. https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline - Berge JM, MacLehose R, Loth KA, et al. "Parent conversations about healthful eating and weight: associations with adolescent disordered eating behaviors." *JAMA Pediatrics*, 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23797808/ - Golden NH, Schneider M, Wood C; AAP Committee on Nutrition, Committee on Adolescence, Section on Obesity. "Preventing Obesity and Eating Disorders in Adolescents." *Pediatrics*, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27550979/ - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Benefits of Family Meals: Eat Together, Thrive Together." HealthyChildren.org, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/family-meals-eat-together-thrive-together.aspx - Crick NR, Grotpeter JK. "Relational aggression, gender, and social-psychological adjustment." *Child Development*, 1995. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7789197/ - Gaffney H, Ttofi MM, Farrington DP. "What works in anti-bullying programs? Analysis of effective intervention components." *Journal of School Psychology*, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33715780/ - American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. "Why Bullying Hurts All Children—and What Parents Can Do About It." HealthyChildren.org, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Cyberbullying: How to Help Prevent It." HealthyChildren.org, 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Cyberbullying.aspx - Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, et al. "Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer." *Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise*, 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091006/ - Jayanthi NA, LaBella CR, Fischer D, et al. "Sports-specialized intensive training and the risk of injury in young athletes: a clinical case-control study." *American Journal of Sports Medicine*, 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25646361/ - Brenner JS, Watson D. "Burnout in Young Athletes: How to Keep the Fun in Sports." HealthyChildren.org, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Too-Much-Too-Soon-Overtraining.aspx - Logan K, Cuff S; AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. "Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents, and Adolescents." *Pediatrics*, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31110166/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Adolescents." Updated 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/children.html - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health." Updated 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html - US Preventive Services Task Force. "Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Screening." 2022. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-anxiety-children-adolescents - US Preventive Services Task Force. "Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents: Screening." 2022. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-depression-suicide-risk-children-adolescents - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. "Get Help." Accessed 2026. https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Age-Appropriate Chores for Children." HealthyChildren.org, 2018. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "5 Great Reasons to Cook with Your Kids." HealthyChildren.org, 2016. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Cooking-With-Your-Children.aspx - White EM, DeBoer MD, Scharf RJ. "Associations Between Household Chores and Childhood Self-Competency." *Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics*, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30507727/ - Tepper DL, Howell TJ, Bennett PC. "Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition?" *Australian Occupational Therapy Journal*, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35640882/ - Utter J, Larson N, Laska MN, et al. "Self-Perceived Cooking Skills in Emerging Adulthood Predict Better Dietary Behaviors and Intake 10 Years Later: A Longitudinal Study." *Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior*, 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29525525/ - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Building Blocks to Help Youth Achieve Financial Capability: A New Model and Recommendations." 2016. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/092016_cfpb_BuildingBlocksReport_ModelAndRecommendations_web.pdf - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Money as You Grow: School-Age Children to Preteens." Accessed 2026. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/school-age-children-preteens/ - Collins JM, Odders-White E. "Allowances: Incidence in the US and Relationship to Financial Capability in Young Adulthood." *Journal of Family and Economic Issues*, 2021. https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jfamec/v42y2021i3d10.1007_s10834-020-09748-y.html - Bucciol A, Veronesi M. "Teaching children to save: What is the best strategy for lifetime savings?" *Journal of Economic Psychology*, 2014. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/joepsy/v45y2014icp1-17.html - Deci EL, Koestner R, Ryan RM. "A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation." *Psychological Bulletin*, 1999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589297/ - Eisenberger R, Pierce WD, Cameron J. "Effects of reward on intrinsic motivation—negative, neutral and positive: comment on Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (1999)." *Psychological Bulletin*, 1999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10589299/ - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "Your Child's Financial Building Blocks." 2026. https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2026-03/your-childs-financial-building-blocks - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?" HealthyChildren.org, 2022. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Safety for Your Child: 10 Years." HealthyChildren.org, updated 2012. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Safety-for-Your-Child-10-Years.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bicycle Safety for Children: Myths & Facts." HealthyChildren.org, 2020. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bicycle-Safety-Myths-And-Facts.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Car Seats: Information for Families." HealthyChildren.org, accessed 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Drowning Facts." Updated 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/facts/index.html - American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. "Water Safety for Teens." HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-for-Older-Children.aspx - Schaechter J. "Guns in the Home: How to Keep Kids Safe." HealthyChildren.org, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Handguns-in-the-Home.aspx - Grossman DC, Mueller BA, Riedy C, et al. "Gun storage practices and risk of youth suicide and unintentional firearm injuries." *JAMA*, 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15701912/ - America's Poison Centers. "Poison Help." Accessed 2026. https://poisoncenters.org/ - America's Poison Centers. "Get Fast, Free and Confidential Poison Help." PoisonHelp.org, accessed 2026. https://www.poisonhelp.org/ - American Academy of Pediatrics. "Concussions in Children & Teens: What Parents Need to Know." HealthyChildren.org, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Concussions.aspx - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Concussion Basics" (HEADS UP). Updated 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/about/index.html - American Academy of Pediatrics and Bright Futures. "Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care" (Periodicity Schedule). 2025. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/periodicity_schedule.pdf - Frenck RW Jr, Perkins R. "HPV: Facts About the Virus that Causes Cancer and How to Prevent It." HealthyChildren.org, 2022. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/are-your-kids-protected-from-cancer-caused-by-hpv.aspx - Fenton R. "AAP-Recommended Vaccines for 'Tweens, Teens & Young Adults." HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/immunizations-for-teenagers-and-young-adults.aspx - American Academy of Pediatrics. "AAP Releases Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for 2026." HealthyChildren.org, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/AAPs-recommended-childhood-and-adolescent-immunization-schedule-for-2026.aspx - Kates J. "The Court's Opening Shot on Federal Vaccine Policy Changes." KFF, 2026. https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/the-courts-opening-shot-on-federal-vaccine-policy-changes/ - WebMD. "What the CDC's New Vaccine Schedule Means for Your Child." 2026. https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/news/20260106/cdc-new-childhood-vaccine-schedule - STAT. "HHS appeals ruling that stalled many of Kennedy's vaccine policy changes." 2026. https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/29/hhs-appealing-acip-vaccine-policy-lawsuit-ruling/