Girls generally begin puberty about two years earlier than boys. Puberty for girls usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13.
Periods usually begin at around the age of 12. Some girls will start them later, and some earlier – everyone is different. To start with, periods might not happen every month but from the ages of around 16 to 18 most people who menstruate will find their periods are regular.
Your young child may experience mood changes according to adjustments in sleep, eating, schedules, and interests. You may also notice new phases where your child is temporarily moody during a developmental change. For example, as kids approach puberty or a big change like a new school, they might be moody for a bit.
The most dangerous age is 14. If you know any teenagers this might not come as a surprise, but research has confirmed that risk-taking peaks during this exact moment in mid-adolescence.
In girls, puberty usually starts between ages 9 and 14. Once it begins, it lasts about 2 to 5 years.
When Does Puberty Start? Most females will start puberty when they're 8 to 13 years old, and most males will start between 9 and 14. But it can also be normal to start earlier or later.
At what age does puberty stop? It can take up to 20 years of age for all the changes that happen during puberty to take place. Puberty doesn't happen all at once — it happens in stages.
Puberty is the body's natural process of sexual maturation. Puberty's trigger lies in a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus, a gland that secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Typically, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop. Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn't already. It also occurs right after the growth spurt of adolescence.
Your daughter will also be developing their ability to think logically and solve problems systematically. They should be able to understand and consider others' points of view. They should understand how their behavior affects others and have a sense of what's right and wrong.
But it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys. There's not usually any need to worry if puberty does not start around the average age, but it's a good idea to speak to your GP for advice if it starts before 8 or has not started by around 14.
The onset of adolescence, generally between 12 and 14, is the hardest age for a teenage girl. The hormones of puberty cause her to feel her emotions more intensely but she has not yet developed the reasoning skills to know how to handle them.
These findings may seem surprising if you've never had an 8-year-old, but there are some reasons a child's eighth year can be especially challenging from a parent's perspective. Eight-year-olds can be stubborn, slamming doors and rolling their eyes, in their attempts to establish their independence and individuality.
Scientists have been taking a closer look at this stage and believe children start experiencing a surge of hormones between the ages of 6 and 8, which can cause heightened emotions.
Sleep: what to expect at 5-11 years
At 5-11 years, children need 9-11 hours sleep a night. For example, if your child wakes for school at 7 am and needs approximately 10 hours sleep per night, your child should be in bed before 9 pm. Some children fall deeply asleep very quickly when they go to bed.
Many 10-year-olds love to run, bicycle, skate, jump on trampolines, swim, and play sports. They may enjoy team sports or individual activities, or be more into art, music, crafts, reading, or getting out in nature. Your child may follow their favorite sports teams and know all the details of their favorite TV programs.