Growth Patterns How does your 14-year-old grow? With endless activities and boundless energy! Click below to find out about:
Physical
High energy continues
Generally health age-pushes through illness in desire to participate with peers
Loud
Alcohol and drugs a major influence on physical well being
Girls; full development nearly complete
Boys; growth spurt continues
Both; sexually active in increasing percentages
Upper body strength begins to develop in boys
High need for physical exercise and snacking
Social
Like to do as much as possible -- cram as much into the day as they can
More of their own adult personality evident
Often embarrassed to be seen with their parents; critical of parental dress, habits, friends, ideas
Loud
Especially don't like or respond well to adult lectures; feel that they know what is going to be said once a few words have been spoken; "Know it all" stage
Can be a pain at home and a star at school
Language
Peer language patterns of paramount importance, but learning to negotiate adult world as well
Will engage more in group discussion
Interested in the meaning of words; developing a broader vocabulary
Loud
Cognitive
More abstract reasoning evident, especially in regard to cause and effect
More willing to admit an error, revise their work or try something a second or a third time
Very aware of problems in larger world and generally still invested in finding solutions and participating in learning more
