Key milestones act as checkpoints in a child’s development to determine
what the average child is able to do at a particular age
Key Milestones
11-12 Years
Fighting with sibling
Create Secret code
More Bodily aware
Sharing Secrets good for development
Restrict Screen time
Peer Pressure
More Milestones
- Hanging out with your 11-year-old can be really fun as they’re starting to understand the world and converse like mini-adults.
- Age 11 often means big physical changes. For girls, puberty might have already started; boys often enter it later (around age 12), but it’s not unheard of for boys to start it by 11.
- Physical changes in girls: 11-year-old girls, physical changes include increased body fat, beginning of breast enlargement, pubic hair growth, widening hips, underarm hair growth, oilier skin and hair, and the first menstrual period.
- Physical changes Boys: might include larger muscles, vocal changes, oilier hair and skin, the beginning of underarm, facial and pubic hair, darkening scrotum, and testicle and penis growth.
- Tweens are beginning to grow into their new bodies, so there might be a little physical awkwardness as they adjust.
- Growth spurt and accompanying growth pains and cramps; the need to both sleep and eat more.
- Sweat glands are starting to get active, so remind your kid about the importance of regular bathing and putting on deodorant every day.
- Once the child hits puberty, expect moodiness and a roller coaster of both distress and happiness.
- Begin to question that authority and might have their first introduction to risky behaviors such as drinking, smoking, or self-harm.
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Red Flag
Know when to meet your doctor
 |  Watch out for these Redflags  |
Children usually follow the same pattern of development and it is good to have reassurance that your child is developing normally in their own unique way. Talk to a doctor or a child health nurse if you have concerns regarding child development.
Watch out for these red flags and talk to your doctor to be reassured that your child is developing in their own unique way
- You don’t need to be overly worried if your 11-year-old isn’t displaying “typical” tween behavior.
- Do you have to be concerned if puberty doesn’t begin during this year
- Talk to your Doctor if puberty doesn’t begin by age 14.
- It’s important to help your child sharpen their skills when you notice deficits.
- if you think that your pre-teen is falling into some dangerous patterns of behavior.
