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Child Development |
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Early
Adolescence (12-14 years old)
Español (Spanish)
Developmental Milestones
Early
adolescence is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social
changes. Hormones change as
puberty begins. Boys grow facial and pubic hair and their voices
deepen. Girls grow pubic hair and breasts, and start menstruating. They
might be worried about these changes and how they are looked at by
others. This will also be a time when your teenager might face peer
pressure to use
alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs, and to have
sex. Other challenges can be
eating disorders,
depression,
and
family problems.
At this age, teens make more of their own choices about friends, sports,
studying, and school. They become more independent, with their own
personality and interests. Some changes younger teens go through are: Emotional/Social Changes |
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More concern about body image, looks, and
clothes.
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Focus on self, going back and forth between high
expectations and lack of confidence.
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Moodiness
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More interest in and influence by peer group.
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Less affection shown toward parents. May
sometimes seem rude or short-tempered.
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Anxiety from more challenging school work.
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Eating problems sometimes start at this age. For
information on healthy eating and exercise for children and
teenagers, visit http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/.
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Mental/Cognitive Changes
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More ability for complex thought.
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Better able to express feelings through talking.
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A stronger sense of right and wrong.
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Many teens sometimes feel sad or depressed.
Depression can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use,
unsafe sex, and other problems. For more information on adolescent
mental health, visit
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depchildmenu.cfm.
(Adapted with permission from
Bright Futures: Green M, Palfrey JS, editors. Bright Futures Family
Tip Sheets: Early Adolescence. Arlington (VA): National Center for
Education in Maternal and Child Health, 2001. Other sources:
American Academy
of Child and Family Psychiatry and the
American Academy of
Pediatrics.) |
Positive Parenting
Trust is important for teenagers. Even as she develops
independence, she will need to know she has your support. At the
same time, she will need you to respect her need for privacy.
- Be honest and direct with your teenager when talking about
sensitive subjects such as drugs, drinking, smoking, and sex.
- Encourage your teenager to get exercise. He or she might
join a team or take up an individual sport. Helping with
household tasks such as mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or
washing the car also keeps your teen active.
- Meal time is very important for families. Eating together
helps teenagers make better choices about the foods they eat,
promotes healthy weight, and gives your family time to talk to
each other.
- Meet and get to know your teenager’s friends.
- Show an interest in your teenager’s school life.
- Help your teenager make healthy choices while encouraging
him to make his own decisions.
- Respect your teenager’s opinions and take into account her
thoughts and feelings. It is important that she knows you are
listening to her.
Safety First
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 12 to
14 year olds. Injuries from sports and other activities are also
common.
- Make sure your teenager knows about the importance of
wearing seatbelts. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration for more information.
- Encourage your teenager to wear a helmet when riding a bike,
motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle.
- Talk with your teenager about the dangers of drugs,
drinking, smoking, and risky sexual activity. Ask him what he
knows and thinks about these issues, and share your thoughts and
feelings with him. Listen to what she says and answer her
questions honestly and directly.
- Talk with your teenager about the importance of having
friends who are interested in positive activities. Encourage him
to avoid peers who pressure him to make unhealthy choices.
- Know where your teenager is and whether an adult is present.
Make plans with her for when she will call you, where you can
find her, and what time you expect her home.
- Set clear rules for your teenager when he is home alone.
Talk about such issues as having friends at the house; how to
handle unsafe situations (emergencies, fire, drugs, sex, etc.)
and homework or household tasks to complete.
Links for Parents
The
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has many
fact
sheets for parents on child and adolescent health and
development.
CDC’s Adolescent Reproductive Health webpage has information
on teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, HIV; the latest
research, data and statistics on teen health; and evidence-based
prevention programs promoting adolescent reproductive health.
CDC’s Healthy Youth! webpage has information about six kinds
of health behavior that contribute to the leading causes of death
and disability for teenagers and adults. Other important issues
affecting children and teenagers are also addressed.
KidsHealth
by the Nemours Foundation has very useful information for parents,
teens, and kids.
The
National Institute of Mental Health at the National
Institutes of Health has information on mental disorders affecting
children and adolescents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has
information on safety recalls, and safety tips for children riding
in motor vehicles, walking, biking, playing outside, waiting at
school bus stops, and more.
Talk With Your Kids is a
national initiative by
Children Now and the
Kaiser Family Foundation to encourage parents to talk with their
children early and often about tough issues like
sex,
HIV/AIDS,
violence, and
alcohol and
drug abuse.
[Return to Top]
Date:
June 1, 2005
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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