Tweens are typically children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. This pre-teen stage marks a transition from childhood to adolescence. While some sources might include ages 8 or 13, the core tween years are generally considered to be those between 9 and 12.
Understanding the Tween Years
The tween years are a period of significant change, both physically and emotionally. Kids in this age range are:
- Leaving behind childhood behaviors and attitudes.
- Beginning to develop more independence.
- Experiencing the early stages of puberty.
- Navigating complex social dynamics.
Several reputable sources support this age range:
- Healthline: States that tweens are around 9 to 12 years old, describing them as pre-teenagers transitioning from childhood to adolescence. https://www.healthline.com/health/understanding-tweens-a-transformative-age
- Child Mind Institute: Defines tweens as kids between 8 and 12, highlighting their in-between status. https://childmind.org/article/what-parents-should-know-about-tweens/
- Greenlight: Specifies the tween age as 9-12 years old, focusing on the physical, emotional, and social milestones. https://greenlight.com/learning-center/parenting-and-family/tween-age
- Many other sources including Reddit polls, Quora discussions, and parenting websites consistently place the core tween years within the 9-12 age bracket.
While there might be some flexibility at the edges of the age range (some might consider 8 or 13 a part of the tween years), the consensus points to 9 to 12 years old as the typical age range for tweens.
