Important Information about your 9-10 year old
Family
Show interest in your child and talk to their teacher. Discuss bullying and tell your child to ask for adult help if they encounter a bully. Talk about relationships and expectations. Create a quiet space in your home for them to do homework. Give your child household chores and encourage after-school activities. Allow them personal space and reasonable independence. Trust is important at this age.
Development
Your child may begin to see changes in their body. Answer any questions they may have about puberty or sex. Encourage your child to talk about their thoughts and feelings and teach them about non-violent ways to resolve conflicts. Praise your child for their accomplishments and help build their self-esteem. Teach them the importance of respecting their body as well as the bodies of others.
Health
Hygiene is important at this age. Make sure that your child is showering every day. They need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Be sure they visit the dentist every 6 months. It is important that your child is active for at least 1 hour a day. Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour a day. Do not allow meals in front of the screen (phone, tablet, TV) and no TV in the bedroom. Help your child develop healthy ways to handle stress.
Eating
Your child should be eating 3 meals and 2-3 healthy snacks a day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat together as a family and give your child healthy food options. Offer snacks like fruits, veggies, turkey/cheese roll-up, and plain or vanilla yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult or danonino). Have your child drink water or low-fat milk instead of juice and sports drinks. Limit juice to 4 oz a day and no soda.
Safety
Make sure your child uses safety equipment and a helmet when riding a bike/skateboard. Your child must always wear a seat belt in the back seat of the car. Monitor your child’s TV/computer activities to make sure they are only viewing age-appropriate content. Tell them not to share any personal information online or on social media. Talk to your child about peer pressure. Keep medications locked and out of sight. Talk to your child about the dangers of using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Have your child wear sunscreen when playing outside.
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939
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