In animation, the trope can be invoked without fully using it in the case of teenagers, where one character is only a few years younger than their crush, but differing rates of physical development makes the crush look a lot older than them. Usually, nothing ever comes of it-at least not until the character in question is much older, and even then, it still might seem a bit Squicky to some. While having this kind of crush is more often associated with girls, it is also common to portray boys as having this kind of crush. Teachers are common targets, as are other, non-related caretakers. The Precocious Crush is any instance of a child (usually pre-teen or younger, though young teenagers are sometimes susceptible) having a crush on someone considered at least one age level older than them. In most instances, you have an ordinary kid who has to deal with the ordinary awkwardness of having a crush on someone way out of their league. What happens when kids get crushes on adults? They may make a Childhood Marriage Promise with their best friend just because, and even pretend to get 'married.' Older kids generally have a basic idea of the birds and the bees, but still have to deal with raging hormones and lots of confusion. Their crushes are, for the most part, innocent.

They have no notions of sexual-and sometimes even romantic-love. To most children, loving someone just means liking them a lot. Children having 'crushes' on one another isn't uncommon.

Crushing Desire by April Dawn