Preadolescence

Preadolescence is a stage of human development following early childhood and prior to adolescence. It generally ends with the beginning of puberty, but may also be defined as ending with the start of the teenage years. For example, dictionary definitions generally designate it as 10–13 years. It may also be defined as the period from 9–14 years. One can also distinguish middle childhood and preadolescence - middle childhood from approximately 5–8 years, as opposed to the time children are generally considered to reach preadolescence (age 9–14 years).