Teenage Growth and Development: 11 to 14 Years (page 3)

Quick Facts

• The physical changes that take place during puberty are caused by hormones.
• A girl will usually get her first period around the same age that her mother did.
• Because teens want to fit in, most choose friends whose interests, activities, and values are similar to their own.
• Talking on the phone is one way teens develop their social skills.

Physical changes (Puberty)

For girls, puberty begins around 10 or 11 years of age and ends around age 16. Boys enter puberty later than girls-usually around 12 years of age-and it lasts until around age 16 or 17. Girls and boys usually begin puberty around the same time their mothers and fathers did. Talk with your child about the following physical changes that will happen during puberty. The changes are listed in the order in which they generally occur. Girls

• body fat increases
• breasts begin to enlarge
• pubic hair grows
• height and weight increase
• first menstrual period occurs
• hips widen
• underarm hair grows
• skin and hair become more oily
• pimples may appear

Boys

• scrotum becomes darker
• testicles grow larger
• penis grows longer and fuller
• pubic hair grows
• breasts can get "lumps" and become tender
• height and weight increase
• muscles develop
• wet dreams occur
• voice cracks and gets deeper
• skin and hair become more oily
• pimples may appear
• underarm and facial hair grow

Intellectual development

• Most 11- to 14-year-olds are still concrete thinkers-they perceive things as good or bad, right or wrong. This is normal. They are just beginning to imagine possibilities, recognize consequences of their actions, and anticipate what others are thinking.
• Youth begin to question family and school rules and challenge their parents.
• Preteens and teens tend to believe that bad things won't happen to them. This helps explain why they are risk-takers. For example, a young girl may believe she can smoke cigarettes without becoming addicted.
• Preteens and teens believe they are the center of attention. This explains why they are painfully self-conscious--a tiny pimple may seem like the end of the world.