First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.
When talking about crushes with kids, ask them why they like whom they like, what kind of things they might like to do with their crushes and whether they might consider inviting them over. Also talk about what happens if both people don't feel the same way.
“Kids can fall in love by all developmental measures as soon as you can begin to measure their feelings,” says Carleton Kendrick, EdM, a Boston-based family therapist and author of Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going to Grandma's. “There's no such thing as puppy love.” Crushes are a healthy part of life.
Around the time they're able to attend elementary school, kids can experience their first crush. Some parents may feel blindsided by how early this can occur, but experts say it's perfectly normal.
Give your child appropriate space.
They may get embarrassed, or even annoyed, and resist sharing anything with you. Let them experience the course of the crush on their own. Although you may want to, you can't control how they feel or how anyone else feels about them.
First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.
About 80 percent of the kids say they had a crush one someone. Some were more prone to keep things quiet, with 40 percent saying they like to keep their feelings to themselves.
Kiss someone when you feel ready, regardless of how old you are. Around ages 12-15, people often start having their first kiss. Don't feel pressured by other people your age kissing people, and don't rush into kissing someone if you are apprehensive. You'll know intuitively when the time feels right.
Their curiosity is likely growing, and they might ask a lot of questions about the world around them. They may start to show more creativity in things like writing, designing, or performing arts. They might also start to develop hobbies or collect things.
Firstly, around this time, she is being flooded by hormones. Her brain is really busy developing and emotions often become stronger.
Interestingly, this is largely agreed upon across generations. No need to wait for the official first date to get a little face time, however. Americans agree kids are ready for their first kiss at age 15 (15.1 on average), while on average, they had theirs at age 14.5.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids start dating at an average age of 12 and a half for girls and 13 and a half for boys. Every teen — or preteen — is different, though, and your child might be ready sooner or later than their peers.
Although in 2014 the average age difference in US heterosexual relationships was a relatively small 2.3 years, many couples have a much wider gap. In Western countries, of male-female couples have an age-gap of 10 years or more, rising to 25% in male-male unions and 15% of female-female relationships.
Neuroscience Behind Attraction
When we experience attraction or develop a crush, chemicals are released in the brain creating a stress and reward response. The first spark of attraction happens in the ventral tegmental area of the brain which produces the “feel good” neurotransmitter known as dopamine.
Psychologically speaking, crushes occur when a person of any age projects their ideas and values onto another person whom they believe possesses certain attributes and with whom they want to be associated. Then, the person with the crush attaches strong positive feelings to this magical image that they have created.
At age 10, you can expect your child to have more complex feelings and to have more control over emotions. However, they may also struggle with keeping them in check at times. You may see them becoming more skilled at handling conflict and negotiating solutions with friends.
They may still struggle with fears of the dark, as an extension of their growth as a separate being. 9 to 12 years – The 'tween' they may express worries related to school performance including a fear of tests and exams.
EXPERT | Dr.
“It is age-appropriate for 10 year olds to be curious, but limits should be established for physical touch. Kissing and other behaviors are more developmentally appropriate behaviors for teenagers who are of dating age.”
Crushes often sprout from a child's attraction to authority, she said. Kids, like grown-ups, look up to people in authority, and a crush may develop “especially when that person possesses other attributes that the child thinks are important.”
Rashmika Mandanna
Rashmika already has won the title of Clean and Clear Fresh Face Pageant in 2014 and now is the number one female crush in India in 2022.
The average age kids get a phone is between 12 and 13. With that in mind, it's up to the parents to be the best judge of whether their child is ready for a cell phone.
Typically, it's best for children under 13 not to engage in romantic relationships as they are still developing emotionally and cognitively. Healthy friendships are encouraged for teenagers between 13 and 15, but romantic relationships could be too much for them to handle.