14 Years
Age: 14 Years
Source: Verywellfamily, WebMD
Developmental Milestone
Physical: By age 14, most children will undergo puberty. Most will have grown pubic and underarm hair. Females will start having their periods and grow breasts. They will also have wider hips and thighs. Boys will start developing their male sex organs. They might grow several inches taller within the first few months, followed by a period of slow growth.
Brain Development: They know the concept of justice and equality. They know their favorite books, music, movies, and will let you know their preference. Their desire to learn will be growing. Talking and expressing themselves to parents may become less frequent, but this is normal. With the change that their body is going through, they may experience body image issues and will constantly worry about their weight gain and how they look. Teens will think that they know everything and that as their parent, you’re wrong most of the time. Be prepared to experience lots of arguments. Understand to know when to pick your battles. They can begin to solve problems on their own and can handle their emotions.
Did you Know?
Did you know? For most girls, their first period will come 2 years after they start breast development. But remember, each child will have different growth.
Social-Emotional Milestone
Instead of talking to their parents, most teens will turn and ask for advice from their friends. They will want to belong and may feel anxious if they don’t fit in. This can affect their sense of self-confidence. This is a time when crushes or relationships may begin. Texting and social media may begin. This age is a time when your child’s peer group is important. During this stage of life, children need the most guidance. These changes can bring about pride or confusion. Body issues may still be an issue. Their Self-esteem will fluctuate. Although most 14-year-olds will be more easy going as they age, and mood swings may be less common, they will still happen. Make sure they have a healthy way of dealing with their emotions, such as journaling or listening to music. Don’t be surprised if they also become embarrassed by their parent’s involvement and may not want you to be seen dropping them off at sports meets.
Life Skills Social Media
Social Media is any digital website, app, or platform that allows people to share digital content and create connections with each other. In today’s age, social media is a way to express yourself and a way to communicate. It is a double-edged sword since it has both benefits and problems. Teens use social media to talk to friends and create group chats. It can be a place where they can learn about current news and trends. It’s a place to meet new people and a place to find entertainment when they are bored. For teens, social media also allows them to have more privacy as they talk to their friends. Overall, it could help them to develop social skills, create deeper bonds with their friends, and learn about the world. It also has negative components. Social media adds pressure and makes it easier to compare their lives to others. For some kids, it can cause a decrease in self-esteem caused by comparisons with their peers. It also allows kids to be more vulnerable to both online scams and bullying. With social media, sending material and personal information is just a click away. It also allows kids easy access to inappropriate content. For girls, it exposes them to content that promotes dieting, some of which could lead to unhealthy eating disorders. There are also concerns about predators online. There is a need to keep safety measures online. The negative effects of too much exposure to social media can be seen in your kid's physical actions. Some of the big changes that you should notice include different levels of energy when they are online compared to when they’re not using technology. Make sure that they spend time on other things including sports, homework, and hobbies. It is important to know what apps are out there, and how we can protect our kids while allowing them to express themselves. Check out our resource page for more information on what type of apps are out there and how to set safety measures for your kids.
Action Items
Stack the house with healthy snacks and make sure when talking about body image to mention health rather than weight.
Ask questions about your teen’s activities and make sure you know their opinion and interest.
They also might be open to doing odd jobs around the house or neighborhood to earn money.
They should be doing basic chores around the house.
Fourteen-year-olds may protest against having rules in the house. Make sure to set guidelines and expectations for your children. Try to understand their viewpoints, but make sure it is clear what is a privilege.
When you argue, make sure to listen to your teen’s opinion, even when you guys can’t agree. Ask them Why they think that way. Most teens will want to know that someone is listening.
Encourage them to go out and exercise and be active for at least one hour every day.
Promote healthy eating and let them get enough sleep.