Preadolescence is a stage of human development following early childhood and preceding 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. Preadolescence can bring its own challenges and anxieties, and, unlike most of the preceding phases, crucial elements of preadolescence are starkly different for boys and girls.