Age Ten
A good age for parents and teachers, ten is an age to respect authority and do what is asked.
Children are friendly and happy at this age, straightforward and predictable. They accept
themselves and others. At ten, children are gaining poise and have fewer fears and night-
mares. They are making their own decisions. Both girls and boys will practice to gain skills.
Girls are beginning to be aware of boys and show an interest in sex as they approach puberty.
Girls worry about breasts. Ten-year-olds will most likely appreciate TV and movies. Girls
like to collect things, ride their bikes, play games, draw, write, perform plays, and put on
puppet shows. Boys play ball, bike, play games, collect things, draw, and make things. Boys
eight through twelve might identify with action heroes, superheroes, (male) sports stars,
political figures, knights, soldiers, astronauts and other explorers, western figures,
cartoon/TV/movie stars, parents and teachers, coaches, and adolescents. Girls the same ages
might identify with cartoon/TV/movie stars, models, dancers, gymnasts, figure skaters, (male
and female) sports stars, (male and female) political figures, rescuers (knights, lifeguards),
successful women, parents and teachers, and adolescents.
Age Eleven
Eleven is the beginning of adolescence for many. At best children are eager, alert, active,
and imaginative. During the worst times they are self-centered, quarrelsome, and overanx-
ious. They might lie and steal. Emotions run wild, with anger and tears following silliness
and exuberance. Eleven-year-olds long for independence and tend to be rebellious. They
need guidance in setting personal goals, evaluating growth and achievement, and discussing
social and personal problems. Standards for others, especially their mother, are higher than
for themselves. They’re quick to criticize and don’t like to help around the house. They are
competitive with siblings, gossipy about others. They behave better outside the home than
they do around their family. Their peer group is important, and they probably have close
relationships. They’re interested in the group and work well within one. They have a feeling
of team spirit. Social activities are important. They need opportunities for increased lead-
ership and responsibility. They’re developing a sense of ethics and justice and can discuss
current events.
For one thing, the midbrain, which is involved in emotional development and the imag-
ination, is almost completely evolved by now. Imaginative play decreases. Eleven-year-olds
like movies, TV, books about adventure, science, nature, and home life. Studies have shown
that television is still popular with kids six to eleven. But boys spend time watching video
games in addition to TV, and girls surf the Internet and read magazines along with their tele-
vision viewing.
Age Twelve
Officially, this is the end of the tween stage. Kids are earning money earlier and making their
own decisions younger as well. Friends are important at this age, both as support and socially.
The group rules the individual. Boys and girls show noticeable differences in growth pat-
52 Animation Writing and Development