This may be a relatively calm period for your child. Pre-adolescents are fairly easy to get along with. They are affectionate with both Mom and Dad. But, at the end of this age, you may begin to notice a change in mood. Get ready! You are about to enter adolescence.

• The 10-year-old is very social. Even though family is important, your child will value his or her friends and their opinions very highly. Supporting and enhancing your child's self-esteem and self-confidence is critical during this period. Children who feel good about themselves are better equipped to withstand negative peer pressure. Parents need to spend time with their child, talk to him or her, and praise him or her for achievements made. Identify your child's strengths and always keep the lines of communication open.
• A possible conflict arises for parents when they misinterpret the child's alignment with peers. Parents can acknowledge their child's desire for independence by offering increasing responsibility. For example, parents may identify certain tasks as appropriate chores, while allowing the child to decide himself when to complete them. An allowance may also promote your child's growing sense of independence.
• No one likes to be different. If your 10-year-old is small and skinny and or does not come up to the shoulder of some of his or her classmates, reassure your child that there is nothing wrong and he or she soon will begin to grow.
• Children this age are usually industrious, helping with household tasks, pet responsibilities and small domestic projects.
• The 10-year-old enjoys being together. They play board games and cards or watch TV. Your child may want to join a club in your neighborhood or at school. He or she may enjoy an organized group such as scouts or a religious group. As a parent, you should support these kinds of activities in your child's community.
• School is very important in the life of a 10-year-old and school progress, achievements or problems can become a major issue. Learning problems may not become evident until the later elementary school years, as classroom expectations for performance increase. Some children are apprehensive about the transition into middle school. It is therefore important that parents monitor their child's school progress and keep in touch with teachers and school administrators.

• Able to tell time.
• Can read for pleasure.
• Has a sense of humor ("do you know any good jokes? What's your favorite joke?").
• Is concerned about rules - good (fair) vs. bad (unfair).
• Cares for himself/herself, his/her room and his/her belongings; can take responsibility for home chores.
• Has more control over small muscles, and therefore writes and draws with more skill.
• Likes to belong to informal "clubs" formed by children.

• Ensure that your child brushes his or her teeth twice a day with a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste and flosses.
• Give your child fluoride supplements as recommended by the health professional based on the level of fluoride in your drinking water.
• Schedule a dental appointment for the child every six months, unless his dentist determines otherwise based on his individual needs/susceptibility to disease.
• As your child's permanent molars erupt, ensure that the dentist evaluates them for application of dental sealants.
• Reinforce with your child how to handle dental emergencies, especially the loss or fracture of a tooth.
• Reinforce with your child the dangers of smoking and smokeless tobacco.

• Poor appetite is rarely a problem in this age period. In fact, the reverse is true, especially in girls. Encourage your child to eat three regular meals per day and nutritious snacks.
• It is especially important during this age period to evaluate your child's food consumption, along with the amount of exercise he or she is doing. Obesity is worrisome in this age. Studies have shown that children who weigh too much at this time are more likely to be overweight as adults.
• Share meals as a family on a regular basis. Make mealtimes pleasant and companionable. Encourage conversation.
• Model and encourage good eating habits. Serve a variety of healthy foods.
• Teach your child how to choose nutritious snacks rich in complex carbohydrates. Limit high-fat or low-nutrient foods and beverages such as candy, chips or soft drinks.
• Teach your child how to eat a balanced diet. Teach him or her to choose plenty of fruits and vegetables; breads, cereals and other grain products; low-fat dairy products; lean meats; and foods prepared with little or no fat.
• Teach your child how to eat a nutritious lunch at school, either through the school lunch program or by packing a balanced lunch.
• Children watch what their parents eat, so set a good example.

• Sleep problems are rare at this age, except for an occasional nightmare. With homework, TV and extra activities, many children are sleep-deficit. Children this age need nine to 10 hours of sleep per night.