Do All 10-Year-Old Boys Have High Energy?

Typical Characteristics

• It should come as no surprise that happy, healthy 10-year-old boys in general have energy to spare. The Center for Parenting Education, a not-for-profit organization that uses certified parent educators to foster more effective parenting, explains on its website that a typical child at age 10 generally enjoys physical activities. A boy normally likes to run, climb, jump and play. At this age, boys also like to belong to groups or clubs with other kids their age. Because of this, many of them enjoy being part of team sports like little league baseball and flag football.

Hyperactivity Concerns

• Parents may worry when their boys seem to have boundless energy. Medical conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and parents having trouble keeping up with highly energetic boys may wonder if ADHD is a factor. The Mayo Clinic tells us that it's perfectly normal and healthy for kids to seem hyperactive, to act impulsive or to be inattentive. Boys are more likely to have hyperactivity disorders than girls, but being energetic is not enough to draw that conclusion. ADHD may be a concern if hyperactivity and an inability to pay attention is a frequent, daily problem, interfering with a child's ability to function both at home and at school. If you suspect your son has a hyperactivity disorder like ADHD, you should discuss it with your health care provider.

Environmental Factors

• Hyperactivity doesn't always indicate a medical condition. Some boys may be overly rambunctious and unruly simply because of a chaotic environment in the home and lack of discipline. A lack of boundaries and consequences; inconsistency in applying consequences; or an unstructured, disorganized lifestyle can result in a child who behaves wildly and is difficult to control. Parents who become too busy and are unable to provide children with more productive activities in which to expend excess energy may also find their boys getting hyperactive at inappropriate times, in inappropriate places.

Warning Signs

• Not every 10-year-old boy is highly energetic all the time. A boy can have a calm temperament, preferring quieter activities. Sometimes, however, low energy is a warning sign. According to The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, a children's mental health facility located in Toronto, Canada, things like moderate to excessive fatigue, low stamina, sleeping too much and listlessness might indicate a health problem. Children may experience these symptoms due to improper diet, obesity, depression, nutrient deficiencies or from the onset of more serious conditions like diabetes and Reyes syndrome. If you are concerned that your child's energy is uncharacteristically low, discuss it with his health care provider.