When your child has their tenth birthday, they are officially an adolescent. This stage of life, typically between the ages of 10 and 18, is a time of intense physical, intellectual and emotional development. Because of this burst of development, your New Canaan Pediatrics providers know that annual wellness visits are just as crucial for a ten-year-old as they are for a four-year-old.
Puberty
Adolescence means puberty, which means your child is experiencing growth and changes unlike any ever before. Simply put, puberty is the process of physical maturation during which a person reaches sexual maturity and is then capable of reproduction. What actually happens during these few years?
Physical Development
The first stage of puberty can happen as early as 8 years old, when your child’s body starts increasing hormone production. The second stage is when pubic hair arrives, and testes grow and breasts begin to bud. Your child will typically get taller, with more pronounced sex characteristics in stage three. Stage four arrives along with a female child’s period, and the deep, mature voice in a male.
When your child’s reproductive system is fully developed and they’ve reached their adult height, they’ve entered stage five, full sexual maturity. It takes about 5 years to complete these stages.
Intellectual and Emotional Development
It’s not just the body that’s changing. It’s also the brain. During adolescence, robust brain development happens. Your child begins to think in more abstract terms and they can now empathize more deeply with peers and the larger world. Their sense of independence increases.
However, while areas of their brains are experiencing intense development, some areas are very much lagging behind – and those areas are very important. Their frontal lobes, where impulse control, complex decision-making, and foreseeing consequences happens, don’t mature until the age of about 26. During adolescence, tweens and teens can understand that an action is a bad idea, but they still make many decisions based on emotions rather than logic.
Helping Them Through
While some children may be delighted by the changes in their body, many feel awkward, self-conscious and sometimes even angry. With your New Canaan Pediatrics provider, you can help them through.
First, approach puberty as you’ve approached all their other developmental milestones – with acceptance and understanding. Just as you talk about eyes and ears, use medical terms for genitals. Be open to questions, giving accurate, concise answers. Not sure of the answer? Message your provider through your portal and we’ll give you accurate, evidence-based information.
Guide Them To Good Health Habits
This is the time to instill healthy behaviors for their lifetime. Encourage exercise and activity without an emphasis on weight loss. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains without talking about dieting. Talk regularly and openly about substance abuse and the effect that alcohol and drugs have on bodies and brains.
Adolescents are more likely to indulge in risky behaviors; accidents, unintentional injuries and vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death for teens. Talk to your child about safe driving habits including as a passenger and seat belt use. Require helmets for bikes, scooters, skateboards and the like.
Establishing good health habits also means talking about sexual health. If you’re uncomfortable discussing sexual health with your child, ask your New Canaan Pediatrics provider to help you both through a conversation about birth control, sexually transmitted disease prevention and consent at a wellness visit. Make sure your child completes the HPV vaccination schedule to prevent a variety of cancers in both females and males.
We recognize that acne can be devastating to your child’s self-confidence and mental health. Many people who experience severe acne as an adolescent develop depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. They may be bullied. If your child develops acne, talk to your provider about appropriate over the counter products that can zap the zits without harming delicate skin. When acne doesn’t respond to this treatment or becomes more severe, we may prescribe antibiotics or more powerful medications, either topical or oral. Early intervention reduces the risk of scarring, discoloration and mental health issues.
Good mental health could be the most important component in your child’s journey through adolescence. One of the biggest risk factors today is the use of social media. Set household rules that phones, tablets, laptops – any screens at all – stay out of bedrooms. Keep one charging station in the kitchen and require that all devices be stowed at least two hours before bed. Turn off notifications to relieve stress and reduce the need to constantly check devices. Get involved as a family in non-screen activities such as game nights, bike rides, family book reading and discussions, and hobbies. Call New Canaan Pediatrics if your child shows signs of depression, anxiety or mental illness such as:
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in activities, sports or friends
- Anger, irritability, mood swings, or restlessness
- Problems with schoolwork, concentration, and memory
- Wanting to be alone, quitting teams, clubs or groups
Adolescence can be a challenging time for both children and parents, but when adults are compassionate, empathetic and reach out for help and information when needed, it can be a time of joy and wonder. Watching your child transition into an adult – intelligent and caring, ready for a bright future – can be the best development stage of all.
When your child is in adolescence, annual wellness visits at New Canaan Pediatrics will track development, allow us to address any issues that may arise, and help keep them happy and healthy.