Final answer:
A 10-year-old's self-description is influenced by cognitive growth, which includes the use of complex sentences, and by social development, which is marked by an emerging self-concept and peer group dynamics. They may use unique terms showing participation in certain speech communities and understanding of social roles and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cognitive and Social Development in Middle Childhood
A 10-year-old is in a significant period of cognitive and social development. By this age, they have developed more sophisticated ways to describe themselves and their world, using longer, more complex sentences akin to adults. They also start to develop a self-concept and an awareness of social roles and expectations. This is the time when children increase their vocabularies dramatically, can focus on tasks for extended periods, and become capable of following a series of commands with ease. Moreover, at ten years old, emotional development is a key factor, as peer acceptance becomes significantly important, and self-esteem can fluctuate based on social perceptions.
When a 10-year-old describes something or someone, including themselves, they might use unique terminology picked up from their peers or media, indicating their participation in specific speech communities and potential use of code-switching. A term like 'derpy,' to describe a stuffed animal, reflects the child's immersion in cultural subgroups that have their own sets of jargon. This language use is part of exploring their identity and gaining acceptance in their peer groups.