Emotional Changes for Children Ages 11 – 13
Source: Your Child’s Emotional Health, Philadelphia Child Guidance Center © 1993
Fears
- Failure in school, sports or social popularity
- Looking and acting “strange”
- Death or life-threatening illness or disease
- Sex (attracting others, repelling other, being attacked)
- Being fooled or “brainwashed”
- Losing possessions, being robbed
Sexuality
- Increased capacity for romantic attachments to peers
- Increased self-consciousness about nudity
- Sexual teasing, aimed both at members of the same sex and members of the opposite sex
- Interest in pornography
- Crushes on adults (such as celebrities)
- Possible beginning of puberty and sexual activity
Stresses
- Family move
- Change in family’s standard of living
- Parents fighting, separating or divorcing
- School tests, grades
- Money and buying decisions
- Games and sports
- Physical appearance
- Sex-related feelings and body changes
- Drugs (avoiding, choosing, taking)
- School, community and athletic awards, honors and recognitions (winning them or not)
- Popularity with peers (having it or not)
- Being treated and treating others fairly
General Emotional Changes
- Self-conscious and sensitive about physical development, health and sexuality
- Fears losing possessions, popularity, or status
- Develops more and more romantic attachments to peers
- Loses patience with siblings and parents
- Seeks and develops a close circle of friends for social support
- Frequently exhibits moodiness and irritability
Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understanding.com or call 650. 341.0779.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
